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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Would you please tell me how you would pronounce this name?

118 replies

PrometheusB · 13/09/2020 16:29

We are expecting a baby boy next month. DP is very keen to call him Ares (should add, DP is Greek, pronouncing it over in Greece wouldn't be a problem at all).

My only concern is that we live in England, and I have a feeling he'll spend the rest if his life correcting people. Would anyone mind telling me if they read Ares, how they would pronounce it?

We do have a couple of very pronoucable back ups if required 😁

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lottiegarbanzo · 13/09/2020 19:49

Athan - I don't know if that's A-than (as in Nathan) or ah-than. Whereas with Athen I'd say ah-then, like Athens.

lottiegarbanzo · 13/09/2020 19:45

Also you get Xander or Xandros or Andro or Andy or Ross with Alexandros.

peakotter · 13/09/2020 19:43

I like Athen, and I think the longer version would be fine on the birth certificate.

Another problem with Ar-iss pronunciation is that it sounds like someone saying Harris but dropping the H. If you said it in a London accent I would assume he was Harris.

JellyMouldJnr · 13/09/2020 19:42

I'm another person with a Greek friend called Aris, so it doesn't seem to be a particularly unusual spelling of it.

lottiegarbanzo · 13/09/2020 19:42

Alex is a great name.

Thisismytimetoshine · 13/09/2020 19:37

He'll spend his schooldays answering to Arse.

gubbbbbddaaaa · 13/09/2020 19:35

Air reez

Original poster
PrometheusB · 13/09/2020 19:35

Bloody spelling, Athan , another option is Athan.

OP posts:
Craddle64 · 13/09/2020 19:34

Ah riss

Original poster
PrometheusB · 13/09/2020 19:34

Alex is extremely popular. It would be Alexandros, but let's face it, he'll only use that for official paperwork!

Our third option is Athen. Now I quite like this one. DP's late father was Athanasius. I think the full name is a bit much, but the shortened version is nice. Once again DP is being awkward with his fixed ideas though, and isn't sure about giving him a shortened version of a name. It's quite normal over here (Harry, Jack, Theo etc.) but he's not yet convinced.

OP posts:
liquoricecravings · 13/09/2020 19:32

I'd pronounce it A-ris, even with the spelling Ares. @PrometheusB I've taught an Aris and to my knowledge he's never been teased and certainly not bullied for his name. I think it's a lovely name.

ShrimpSymphony · 13/09/2020 18:48

Ah-Rayz

Oneandabean · 13/09/2020 18:45

Aries like the god or star sign

BackforGood · 13/09/2020 18:40

Phew.

Really like Alex Grin

user781210 · 13/09/2020 18:39

Ah-rez

seriousandloyal · 13/09/2020 18:39

Air ries just like the star sign Aries I would pronounce it in English

Thehollyandtheirony · 13/09/2020 18:37

I would have guessed Air-es but it’s an easy one to remember once you know.
It’s a beautiful name.

SeanCailleach · 13/09/2020 18:36

No no no not another Alex. I mean it's a lovely name and millions of people clearly think so.
If I saw "Ares" on my list I would ask the child how they say their name. Which I do for all kids. If I heard "Aris" I'd ask for the spelling like I do for all names.
If I catch the kids calling each other rude names we'd have a chat about basic manners.

Sunshineandsparkle · 13/09/2020 18:35

Aires (like the star sign)

SleepingStandingUp · 13/09/2020 18:34

DP won't accept my suggestion of Aris, to ensure it's pronounced the way he would like it. But I've been totally put off by the idea he may be called Arse so I'm glad I have some back ups!
I have a friend of Greek origin called Aris , I assume because Ares is going to be provided badly and is close to bottom in spelling. Aris or Alex are lovely

BabyLlamaZen · 13/09/2020 18:34

People are being rubbish. Alex is an ok name but a tad dull! The UK is an international place. I have met a ridiculous number of names. Are you in a multicultural area?

SleepingStandingUp · 13/09/2020 18:33

Like Aires the start sign. It's terribly close to Arse tho op and people are dicks

Thecazelets · 13/09/2020 18:33

Alex is beautiful. Ares is also beautiful, but far too close to arse to get away with in the UK. Especially where accents include a rolled 'r' (e.g Scotland.)

whatausername · 13/09/2020 18:32

Alex is infinitely kinder for a child raised in the UK

BabyLlamaZen · 13/09/2020 18:30

or spell it the English way Aries like the star sign?

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