Ariel?

[Allstats]

Thoughts on Ariel for a boy? Thanks

[YoungGirlGrowingOld]

Ah yes Honeybee and Seren - the connection was the book, not the son! Still love the name.

[Honeybee79]

Thanks Seren!

[katemess12]

It's a bit like the name Meredith. You know it's originally a masculine name, but you wouldn't give it to a boy living in a country where it's overwhelmingly been given to girls for a long time.

Ariel is purely feminine to me. Prior to Ariel Castro (shit association, btw), I would never have known it was masculine.

Also, I pronounce it AIR-iel because that's the only way I've known it to be pronounced, but I seem to be in the minority here. Just another issue you'll have to face with the name.

[firawla]

For a boy I just think of ariel Sharon which is a very negative connotation, if not for that then the sound is nice. I wouldn't mind it for a girl because then I'd just think of the little mermaid

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

Far too feminine for a boy. please do not set your child up for potential teasing.
There are so many strong beautiful manly names out there.
I hope I've not upset you

[BathshuaSpooner]

Ariel means Lion of God. It's a fabulous name. Btw, not all of us have an issue with Ariel Sharon ;)

[sophiepumpkin]

My DH's name. I love it! He's never complained of being bullied about it. He does often have to spell it, and if he can be bothered, correct pronunciation. He is of Jewish heritage so I suppose it is less unusual in that context. Go for it if you like it!

[Sugarpiehoneyeye]

No, sorry OP.

[Yika]

Well I have a male colleague called Ariel and I think it's a lovely name (but I work in a very international environment so you see all kinds of names around).

[SerenDippitee]

Honeybee: Yes. It was edited and published posthumously by Hughes, and he selected the name from one of the poems that he had chosen. The poem 'Ariel' is ostensibly about horseriding but of course metaphorically is much richer. One reading is connected to Shakespeare's Ariel, and release from slavery.

[isitseptemberyet]

Crikey, for a boy !! Hell No!!

[isitseptemberyet]

nooooooooooooo
What about Arianna/ Arietty / Aria / Arabella

[Honeybee79]

And the name of her second (?) poetry collection?

[SerenDippitee]

Sylvia Plath named her children Frieda and Nicholas.

Ariel was her horse.

[ayeokthen]

Ariel Castro is what came to mind, sorry.

[YourNewspaperIsShit]

It's about time it made a comeback!

[fluentinsarcasm]

Was so hoping it was Penfold Yournewspaper. Might start to tout it on here, could be the new 'it' name!

[YourNewspaperIsShit]

We have a winner Blackberry

[Blackberryandapplejam]

Robin?

[YourNewspaperIsShit]

Fluent Think more comic book/famous films

[Thundercake]

I know a male 'Irial' pronounced 'ear-e-al'. I think it's odd.

[MrsGsnow18]

I do think it's a lovely name. I had no idea it was a male name too. I've only ever heard of the little mermaid.
Which unfortunately I think will always come up! Especially since Disney re-release all their classics, the films will always be around if you know what I mean.

[fluentinsarcasm]

I'm trying to think of Super Hero sidekicks now.

Penfold?

[roseteapot101]

it sounds nice but i think my other half would think i'd gone barmy if i suggested naming our child after a laundry detergent brand

[WaitrosePigeon]

I quite like it. Only on a girl though.