Our 2nd baby is going to be here at the end of [name_u]January[/name_u]. My husband wants to name him [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] after his brother. I think the name is lovely but its also always going to be associated with the little mermaid. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think it would be okay?
My husband’s brother always went by [name_u]Ari[/name_u], which we thought about using, but it sounds too much like my eldest daughter’s name. If we name him [name_u]Ariel[/name_u], we’ll be giving him the middle name [name_m]Angus[/name_m], so that they will be alliterative like his big sisters names.
I’m not sure where you live, but I’m in [name_f]Canada[/name_f] and I wouldn’t use [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] for a boy, sorry. I’m normally all for names being shared by both girls and boys, but the [name_m]Little[/name_m] Mermaid association is a strong one, and likely to be a lasting one- most people today know of it and it’s likely to be an association for your child’s/future generations too. [name_u]Ari[/name_u] is a lot more wearable for a boy- what is your daughter’s name, by the way? You could use [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] as a middle name so that it’s not a day-to-day problem, but be prepared that he might be embarrassed about it/not want to tell people about it. (he may embrace it and love it! but some boys would be embarrassed at having what they see as a “girly” name).
[name_u]Ariel[/name_u] works for a boy. There are plenty of “lasting” associations with [name_u]Dylan[/name_u] and [name_u]James[/name_u], but that doesn’t stop parents from using them on girls.
Personally, I think of [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] as a boy name first because I’m a [name_m]Shakespeare[/name_m] fan so i associate the name with a (male) character from The [name_f]Tempest[/name_f]. Most people with probably associate [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] with the [name_m]Little[/name_m] Mermaid though.
However, having said that, that is not a reason to not use the name. Unisex names are becoming increasingly popular, and more importantly, names that have been traditionally used on boys - such as [name_u]James[/name_u] - are being used for girls. If a name typically associated with boys can be used for a girl, why not the reverse?
Go for it! [name_f]Eilidh[/name_f] and [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] make a great sibset!
I love the name [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] for a boy. I can definitely see the character from the Disney movie being constantly brought up and the fact that the character is a girl. But. The name was originally used strictly for boys (the female form being [name_f]Ariella[/name_f]) that and the fact that you want to honor someone with it make me say go for it. Also with the nickname [name_u]Ari[/name_u] are you pronouncing it R-E or air-e? I believe the little mermaid’s name is [name_f]Air[/name_f]-e-elle as opposed to R-E-L anyway. Also with all the gender-bending people do with names these days I don’t think most people would bat an eye.
We named our female cat [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] after The [name_m]Little[/name_m] Mermaid so yeah, I think that it would be hard to avoid that connotation. I’ve heard that [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] is used for boys in other cultures, though. I guess it isn’t unusable, but definitely do not be surprised if there is some confusion.
I don’t think it’s unusable for a boy, but it would certainly cause confusion. If you’re OK with that, then no big deal. It does make it extra tricky that the little girls who grew up loving The [name_m]Little[/name_m] Mermaid are now teachers, moms, etc., but it’s not like anyone is going to assume that’s why you chose the name.
I don’t think of The [name_m]Little[/name_m] Mermaid at all honestly, and I would consider myself a Disney fan. It’s a great name and I think it’s usable on a boy for sure. Depending on your daughters name maybe [name_u]Ari[/name_u] would be usable as the occasional nickname? You could always honor his brother by using it in the middle spot, but I say if you like it, then go for it. I wouldn’t think it out of the ordinary at all if I met a little boy [name_u]Ariel[/name_u].
Also, as added context, I’m in [name_f]Canada[/name_f].
I’ve met two people named [name_u]Ari[/name_u], and they were both girls, but both of them were named [name_f]Arielle[/name_f] and went by [name_u]Ari[/name_u]. I’ve never met an [name_u]Ariel[/name_u], but if you want to use it, I say go for it.
While The [name_m]Little[/name_m] Mermaid isn’t a very strong connection for me, I can’t imagine this on a male. However, if it’s a name you really want to use, then I say go for it! If worst comes to worst, he could always go by his middle name, or trick people into thinking that he’s [name_m]JUST[/name_m] [name_u]Ari[/name_u].
If you are worried about the femininity of the name, I like the pp’s suggestion of popping [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] in the middle.
but some boys would be embarrassed at having what they see as a “girly” name).