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

[PrometheusB]

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 😁

I think Alex/Alexandros is a great name

Is it really spelled like that in Greek? Coz Greeks don't use English alphabet much, do they?

Google translate says the correct spelling would be Άρης. Or possibly Áris.

If you already changed to a different alphabet, the spelling was already changed and can be changed to suit the language where your son lives (not that I'm a purist about spellings anyway). DH is being illogical.

I like Athan too but prefer Alexandros out of the 2. More scope for nn.

I don't see it mentioned often on here but they do choose their own nn to an extent. Dc1 has a name that doesn't have an obvious nn, just a shortening (although it isn't a long name). We'd always just intended to call her by her name but when she started to say it she couldn't pronounce it & the mispronunciation stuck & it's now her preferred name (she doesn't mind me & her Dad calling her by her actual name but we're the only ones who are 'allowed' to along with teachers). The younger 4 all chose theirs as well.

I like Ares (pronounced Ah ris) and Athanasius nickname Athan. Both are easy enough to pronounce for English speakers.

Alex is dull and overused imo. I know so many male and female Alexes!

Funnily enough all the Greek families I know that are settled permanently in the U.K. or where only one partner is Greek have an Alexandros! It’s the perfect nod to Greek culture whilst because completely pronounceable and nondescript here.

Oh and I’d say Ah-Rez
How is it supposed to be pronounced?

Arr-es. No Idea if I'm right.

If you give him your DP's surname he'll have a very greek name.

AH-Rez

The issue with the Latin spelling is that although the η from Άρης in Greek characters is substituted with the 'i' in Latin, the 'official' translation of the Greek god's name is Ares. I guess that's why your husband prefers this...

Aris, is actually short for other Greek names , a well-known one being Αριστοτέλης (otherwise known as Aristotle to English speakers). It's likely others who mentioned they know a Greek called Aris may actually know an Aristotelis...

Anyway, to the original question I think the name is nice. People can be informed about the correct pronunciation if necessary.

Athanasius is fabulous. I’d go with that.

Alternatively, Alexandros shortened to Xandros. But not Alex!

Thank you, this is all very helpful and has given me a bit to think about!

Baby will have both our surnames so it's going to be a mouthful regardless, however at least his is easily pronounced!

Air-ees, as in the god, but it won't work at all in the UK. People will pronounce it Airs.

Air-reez

Air-ease. A pretty well-known mythical figure so I wouldn't expect frequent mispronunciation.

Athan is lovely.

Air-ees.

Aries, unless corrected.

Air-ess?

Agree as above I would pronounce air-rees, love the name though