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Baby names

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

Original poster

Brother to Max... Ari?

63 replies

Givemepickles · 13/02/2024 09:15

DH and I cannot find a boys' name we like. We only had Max as an option for DS1. We have a long surname so are set on max 2 syllables in the first name.

I like Ari but don't actually know any. Does it go with Max? Will we ever find it in toy shops and gift stores, when Max gets to choose something with his name on it will Ari always be left out?

How would you pronounce Ari? I know how I want it pronounced but don't know if that's the usual way!

Our other option is Charlie but I do not like Charles at all and don't think Charlie stands alone as a name.

Thoughts, ideas?

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ZiggyZowie · 13/02/2024 12:33

Marvin

Milo

Murdo

user1492757084 · 13/02/2024 12:25

Max and Charley goes well.
Others ..
Max and Harry
Max and Casper
Max and Christof
Max and Caleb
Max and Rufus

Pemba · 13/02/2024 12:23

I've only come across this name on girls, pronounced as 'Arry and short for Ariana or Ariella.

Original poster
Givemepickles · 13/02/2024 12:19

TheOriginalEmu · 13/02/2024 12:01

Charlton as the full name for Charlie?
I much prefer Ari though, Asa is a similar
vibe?

Is Asa "ace-ah" or "ass-ah"? Or neither??

OP posts:
Original poster
Givemepickles · 13/02/2024 12:18

Thanks everyone, it's nice to hear some people like Ari and do think it goes with Max :)

The more I think about it the more I can't see it being mispronounced more than the first time someone meets him. Since it's not pronounced Arry I can't see anyone would confuse it for that as we or he would say Ahhree. I worked with a girl called Mairead and she always introduced herself as "Mairead like parade" and I remembered ever since due to that so he could do similar. We also don't live anywhere near the east end of London so no idea why people would think we suddenly have an Eastenders accent but only for one word 😂

OP posts:
AngelaBB · 13/02/2024 12:08

Really like Ari. Max and Ari sound great.

TheOriginalEmu · 13/02/2024 12:01

Charlton as the full name for Charlie?
I much prefer Ari though, Asa is a similar
vibe?

bloodyeffinnora · 13/02/2024 11:57

Max and Charlie definitely

SerenityNowInsanityLater · 13/02/2024 11:48

I mentioned it being a Jewish name only because the ones I know personally are from religious families in the States. But honestly, Hebrew names are so common. I think most people don’t realise that so many of our every day names are Hebrew in origin. My son has a Greek name, my daughter has a Hebrew name, my other son has a Scottish name.

Ari is a really nice name and if you love it, use it.

metsss · 13/02/2024 11:24

We aren't Jewish but I did see this is a Jewish name from Googling it. Not sure if that matters or not. I seem to like a lot of Jewish names like Ezra and Reuben as well

It is also a diminutive of Adrianus in Holland.

metsss · 13/02/2024 11:22

aquarimum · 13/02/2024 09:54

I work with an Ari (ah-ri) and he's amazing. He's also got a somewhat unusual surname.

I wonder if you work with my son Smile

Original poster
Givemepickles · 13/02/2024 11:21

SerenityNowInsanityLater · 13/02/2024 11:17

The letter R and then long ee is how it’s pronounced.
It’s a popular name in Israel and not so much ‘popular’ but more known in the States as a Hebrew name. I’m American, hence my reference to the States where I know a few guys called Ari (all Jewish friends).

Yes, that's how I pronounce it and love that pronunciation.

We aren't Jewish but I did see this is a Jewish name from Googling it. Not sure if that matters or not. I seem to like a lot of Jewish names like Ezra and Reuben as well.

OP posts:
WithASpider · 13/02/2024 11:20

James Patterson wrote a series of books where two of the main characters are Ari and Max. I'd probably assume you loved them! I really like the name and would pronounce it Ah-ree.

If you're introduced to someone as Ah-ree you're unlikely to automatically change it to 'Arry because it's rude.

If you decide to go another way though I have friends with 2 sons called Max and Leo. Charlie is great too as a stand alone name, just like Alfie or Freddie.

SerenityNowInsanityLater · 13/02/2024 11:17

The letter R and then long ee is how it’s pronounced.
It’s a popular name in Israel and not so much ‘popular’ but more known in the States as a Hebrew name. I’m American, hence my reference to the States where I know a few guys called Ari (all Jewish friends).

Original poster
Givemepickles · 13/02/2024 11:13

@TheBirdintheCave that's a good question, he's just Max. I'd never even heard the name Maximilian until I looked up the name Max for him. I always thought the name Max was a full name so I guess I never felt the same as I do Charles and Charlie. I know lots of people think it's silly but it's just how I feel about that name.

OP posts:
TheBirdintheCave · 13/02/2024 11:09

Here's a question. Does Max have a full name on his birth certificate? If not, and you've just used the diminutive there rather than Maximilian, then I wouldn't worry about using Charles for Charlie.

AmaryllisChorus · 13/02/2024 10:55

I'd go for another 1-syllable name:

James
Luke
Sam
Tom
Jack
George
Frank
Hugh
Fred
Will
Art
Josh
Jake
Ralph/Rafe
Stan

I like Ari a lot but will he get 'Arry?

What about Leo?

Onelife2024 · 13/02/2024 10:53

I definitely prefer Charlie, and I think that goes brilliantly with Max. I honestly don’t think you need to put Charles on the birth certificate if you don’t like it, Charlie is so commonly used as a standalone name now that it doesn’t sound too nicknamey in my opinion (I actually know someone who changed his name by deed poll from Charles to Charlie as he disliked the formal version so much!)

I’m not keen on Ari I’m afraid, I thought it was said like Harry without an H too, and it sounds like the subject R.E when said correctly.

Onlyvisiting · 13/02/2024 10:53

I thought it was hebrew/Arabic and usually an abbreviation for a longer name. The one I know is Ariel (boy. I'd say AH re (emphasis on the a, short e.) So not Arry.

LadyBird1973 · 13/02/2024 10:46

How about Michael? 2 syllables, goes nicely

Original poster
Givemepickles · 13/02/2024 10:39

I appreciate all the suggestions, thanks everyone. I find boy names so hard to like whereas I have loads of girl names I love. I do like the idea of another name beginning with M. I also liked the name Caspian but DH is a firm no on that (and it's 3 syllables so a bit much for the poor lad with our surname).

OP posts:
Inyourwildestdreams · 13/02/2024 10:31

We have a Max. If we are lucky enough to have another boy he will be Miles/Myles 😊

DRS1970 · 13/02/2024 10:22

I think it would end up like someone from the eastend trying to say Harry. I would avoid it for that reason.

Gemstonebeach · 13/02/2024 10:20

Oh and Jack.

Gemstonebeach · 13/02/2024 10:19

I like Ari and think it goes with Max. Other options I think go are Hugo, August and Sam(uel).