Hey Berries!
DH and I were talking about boy names and if we ever have another boy, he’ll like to name him [name_m]Ares[/name_m]. I do like the sound of it. Although I hate the meaning (ruin and bane) and of course the God of War association. What do you guys think of it? Is it useable?
[name_f]TIA[/name_f]!
Hmmm… This is kind of a tough one. If you don’t like the god of war association, I’m afraid there is no getting around that one. Greek Mythology is commonly taught in high school and the ever growing [name_u]Percy[/name_u] [name_m]Jackson[/name_m] series has made it very popular among young kids. However, I would personally find the connection cool, so perhaps your child would not view it as a drawback, but as a positive. That aside, it isn’t the easiest of the Greek mythological names to use (though it’s the second most usable of the male Olympians, in my opinion) but I definitely think it is usable. However if you don’t like the meaning you might want to look for another name, because I don’t see that going away.
What about:
[name_m]Titus[/name_m]
[name_m]Titan[/name_m]
[name_m]Theseus[/name_m]
[name_m]Perseus[/name_m]
[name_m]Adonis[/name_m]
[name_m]Apollo[/name_m] (nn [name_u]Ollie[/name_u] is cute)
Best of luck!
Here in Greece, where everyone is obviously familiar with the god of war, [name_m]Ares[/name_m] is a quite common name
So, if we dont mind the association, neither should you
You could also use just [name_u]Ari[/name_u]
If you don’t mind the association (which I mean, is kinda badass in the nerdiest possible way), it’s okay. There will be teasing but it’s not too bad.
Hmm… technically, if [name_m]Atlas[/name_m] is a “cool, hip” name then [name_m]Ares[/name_m] should also be acceptable… however, there’s something about it that rubs me the wrong way. It sounds harsh somehow. Maybe it’s the war connection. I’m not sure. It’s just not sitting right… sorry.
I love Greek god names! My partner won’t go for any of them but to me there is such a strong association with greatness and strength.
Often throughout history these sorts of gods were feared but they were also greatly respected, they weren’t normally seen as bad or evil (not just Greek gods but any civilisation). I love [name_f]Hera[/name_f] and some people would see the “wrathful goddess” association as a bad thing but I love it!
[name_m]Ares[/name_m] is a fantastic name.
I know an [name_m]Ares[/name_m], he’s like 45, his family is Italian, nice guy with the voice of a classy old-timey radio announcer.
I find it a very wearable name that comes off as really masculine and strong but the shortness makes it hip.
I really like [name_m]Ares[/name_m]. It’s definitely a short, tough, spunky, yet somehow endearing name. I’ve never heard the name be used before, aside from the God which is an association I don’t mind. A close friend named her son Arreis, which is similar. He always gets compliments on it. I think it’s totally wearable.
[name_f]Athena[/name_f] was the goddess of strategic warfare, and she’s still a popular name contender. A lot of Greek mythological names have tragedy/bad associations attached, but they still managed to push their way into mainstream popularity.
I like the sound of [name_m]Ares[/name_m] a lot, and I seriously doubt that the masses are familiar with Greek mythology beyond the usual [name_m]Zeus[/name_m]/Hades/[name_f]Hera[/name_f]/[name_f]Athena[/name_f]/etc. bunch. [name_m]Ares[/name_m] tends to be left out of that crowd (or he’s just called the god of war when he’s more specifically the god of violent war). I can’t really fathom any reason why this name would become a teasing target. In conclusion, I think it’s perfectly usable.
Thanks everyone for your the thoughts!
@josie1497 I love [name_m]Apollo[/name_m] nn [name_u]Ollie[/name_u] that is so cute and I wouldn’t have thought of that.
@emmievis Thanks! [name_f]Glad[/name_f] to hear that people from Greece don’t mind the association. I love the nn [name_u]Ari[/name_u] for [name_m]Ares[/name_m].
@kizzy_delgado Funny that you say its badass in the nerdiest possible way, my DH is kinda a nerd too!
@mummacat92 I kinda of know what you mean about it not sitting right. That’s how I felt when I first heard the name but it’s slowly growing on me.
Thanks Berries!
Although if I were to choose any Greek mythology name it would be [name_m]Atlas[/name_m]. It’s so hard for DH and I to agree on a name and I do quite like [name_m]Ares[/name_m] so I’ll definitely keep it in mind.
I think it definitely works. I actually just came across an [name_m]Ares[/name_m] at a picnic I was at…he was around 10. I was a little surprised when I first heard him called by his name but then I decided it is actually a pretty cool name.
I think it’s usable, although my image of the name was tainted by the weenie [name_m]Ares[/name_m] in [name_f]Xena[/name_f]: Warrior [name_f]Princess[/name_f]. 
So many Greek myth names are difficult to pronounce, but I think [name_m]Ares[/name_m] is approachable in that sense. Good luck with your decision!
Go for it.
My immediate reaction was, “like the astrological sign?” So I don’t think you should be unduly concerned with the mythological association. Once you put a face to a name, it takes on a new dimension, and ceases to be a definition in a baby name book. Your son will own his name. 