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Help[Opinions] Ariel and Ira
WDYTO Ariel (ar-ee-el) for a boy? Too Little Mermaid-y or just too girly?
Also, WDYTO of Ira (eye-ruh)? Is it too feminine sounding?
Would you use either of them on a boy?
Also, WDYTO of Ira (eye-ruh)? Is it too feminine sounding?
Would you use either of them on a boy?
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Asa could result in its own set of dumb jokes.
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I love Ariel, nn Ari for a boy (I love most Hebrew -el names). Ira I prefer for a girl, but don't mind it on a boy (I don't pronounce them the same).
ETA: Having never seen Little Mermaid (and the name is not used here for either gender), the only person I associate Ariel with is Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. BTW, his nickname is Arik which I also love.
I would seriously use Ariel for a boy, if it wasn't for the detergent brand. Poor Ariel, can't get a break anywhere:-(
ETA: Having never seen Little Mermaid (and the name is not used here for either gender), the only person I associate Ariel with is Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. BTW, his nickname is Arik which I also love.
I would seriously use Ariel for a boy, if it wasn't for the detergent brand. Poor Ariel, can't get a break anywhere:-(
This message was edited 8/20/2010, 6:22 PM
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Ariel still ranks for a boy though
And is pretty steady in the mid 500s, so 400-500 boys are given the name every year.
Yes, girls have 3x that, but currently, I don't compare Ariel with Lesley, Ashley, Kelly, Shannon. It's more on par with Alexis, Finley, Payton. IMO.
Also for what it's worth, my first association with Ira is that I'm reminded of a few books that were read to me as a kid-- about a girl named Ira. I'd still be pretty pleased to see it on a boy though. Ariel too.
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So should we bring back Lesley, Ashely, Shannon, Kelly... Tracy and the rest?
Yes please. :)
And is pretty steady in the mid 500s, so 400-500 boys are given the name every year.
Yes, girls have 3x that, but currently, I don't compare Ariel with Lesley, Ashley, Kelly, Shannon. It's more on par with Alexis, Finley, Payton. IMO.
Also for what it's worth, my first association with Ira is that I'm reminded of a few books that were read to me as a kid-- about a girl named Ira. I'd still be pretty pleased to see it on a boy though. Ariel too.
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So should we bring back Lesley, Ashely, Shannon, Kelly... Tracy and the rest?
Yes please. :)
This message was edited 8/22/2010, 7:01 AM
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Well, depends on the name and parental prefs.
Lesley I've encountered and prob'ly wouldn't use for either gender, but it wouldn't shock me and make me think that was a boy w/ a girls' name.
First Ashley I ever met or knew of was a guy, so encountering a girl w/ that name for the first time was a surprise, but I got over it (just like people who didn't realize before that Ariel is, in fact, a boys' name as well can get over it as they get used to it and become a bit more educated).
Went to high school w/ a guy named Shannon. Surprised at first, but got over it.
Have met a few guys named Kelly.
Have met a male Stacey or 2, so Tracy wouldn't really phase me much... esp. since I'm aware it's been used in the past.
Perpetuating ignorance and being content w/ the ignorance surrounding oneself is also annoying. However, having said that, my main concern for an Ariel in the States would be how he'd be treated in light of people's ignorance on the matter. In NY or other Jewish communities, he'd possibly fit in just fine and might even know other guys named Ariel. In fact, at 1 time I had email contact w/ a Jewish GUY named Ariel who was from the States. At the same time, it might not be so wise in Tx. because of the macho attitudes that are sometimes promoted there and the way that might affect the boy in school with bullying and such. (of course, if DH is a solid football player and the mum's side of the fam is big enough he'll not be likely to be too shrimpy, they may be able to pull it off anyway)
Ironically enough, I think Ira may well get picked on in the same context since ignorance being the excuse for the treatment of a boy named Ariel might also extend to the name Ira, which might be foreign and fem sounding to a # of Americans (not all) just like a boy named Ariel would be...
Lesley I've encountered and prob'ly wouldn't use for either gender, but it wouldn't shock me and make me think that was a boy w/ a girls' name.
First Ashley I ever met or knew of was a guy, so encountering a girl w/ that name for the first time was a surprise, but I got over it (just like people who didn't realize before that Ariel is, in fact, a boys' name as well can get over it as they get used to it and become a bit more educated).
Went to high school w/ a guy named Shannon. Surprised at first, but got over it.
Have met a few guys named Kelly.
Have met a male Stacey or 2, so Tracy wouldn't really phase me much... esp. since I'm aware it's been used in the past.
Perpetuating ignorance and being content w/ the ignorance surrounding oneself is also annoying. However, having said that, my main concern for an Ariel in the States would be how he'd be treated in light of people's ignorance on the matter. In NY or other Jewish communities, he'd possibly fit in just fine and might even know other guys named Ariel. In fact, at 1 time I had email contact w/ a Jewish GUY named Ariel who was from the States. At the same time, it might not be so wise in Tx. because of the macho attitudes that are sometimes promoted there and the way that might affect the boy in school with bullying and such. (of course, if DH is a solid football player and the mum's side of the fam is big enough he'll not be likely to be too shrimpy, they may be able to pull it off anyway)
Ironically enough, I think Ira may well get picked on in the same context since ignorance being the excuse for the treatment of a boy named Ariel might also extend to the name Ira, which might be foreign and fem sounding to a # of Americans (not all) just like a boy named Ariel would be...
This message was edited 8/21/2010, 4:59 PM
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I'm probably in the minority of this but I like Ira. He reminds me of the loveable cousin from Mad About You (is this showing my age?). He wasn't stagnant and flat like some of the characters in that show and he's the only Ira I've ever heard of ... that I liked. (There was another Ira from Little Black Book but the actor who played him was a sleeze. All bug-eyed and what not.)
If I had to choose between Ariel and Ira, I would choose Ira. He sounds so sweet. I've never really thought about using Ira on a son but he is quite becoming and grows on me better than Ariel. Unfortunately, I will forever have the movie as an association for a feminine Ariel.
If I had to choose between Ariel and Ira, I would choose Ira. He sounds so sweet. I've never really thought about using Ira on a son but he is quite becoming and grows on me better than Ariel. Unfortunately, I will forever have the movie as an association for a feminine Ariel.
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I like Ariel and Ira for boys.
I used to know a male Ariel. He usually went by Ari. It seems like a lot of people have at least heard of Ariel Sharon, and Shakespeare named a male character Ariel, so I'd say that it's at least somewhat familiar as a male name. I think that a lot of people in the U.S. will think of The Little Mermaid when they hear the name though. What about just Ari? You could also use Ariel as a middle name. If people around you are familiar with Hebrew names, then I think it will make things easier, but if not, they might need to be filled in that Ariel is a male name too.
Ira doesn't sound too feminine to me. I find it refreshing. Isaiah, Noah, and Elijah have become popular despite their endings, so why not Ira? I'd say that most people have at least heard of Ira and are aware that it's a masculine name.
I used to know a male Ariel. He usually went by Ari. It seems like a lot of people have at least heard of Ariel Sharon, and Shakespeare named a male character Ariel, so I'd say that it's at least somewhat familiar as a male name. I think that a lot of people in the U.S. will think of The Little Mermaid when they hear the name though. What about just Ari? You could also use Ariel as a middle name. If people around you are familiar with Hebrew names, then I think it will make things easier, but if not, they might need to be filled in that Ariel is a male name too.
Ira doesn't sound too feminine to me. I find it refreshing. Isaiah, Noah, and Elijah have become popular despite their endings, so why not Ira? I'd say that most people have at least heard of Ira and are aware that it's a masculine name.
This message was edited 8/20/2010, 6:15 AM
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I'm ok w/ Ariel on a boy... basically because I'm aware of it being a boys' name at its Jewish roots. Might have some challenges in some areas with it among those less aware, but if you're in NY or some other area w/ a significant Jewish population, it my well be accepted as normal.
Ira's ok, but def. nmsaa. Thus I wouldn't use it. It's not horrid, but it doesn't appeal to me either.
I have Arielle on my girls' list, so prob'ly wouldn't use Ariel on a boy, but am content w/ it on other little boys.
Ira's ok, but def. nmsaa. Thus I wouldn't use it. It's not horrid, but it doesn't appeal to me either.
I have Arielle on my girls' list, so prob'ly wouldn't use Ariel on a boy, but am content w/ it on other little boys.
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Ariel Sharon ... I can't readily imagine anyone less girly! But there would be a need for on-going explanations; most people probably haven't heard of him or have forgotten. And Shakespeare's Ariel is male, as far as a magical spirit can be said to be either.
Ira as in Gershwin is a dodgy one. As a (Latin) vocabulary word, it's grammatically feminine, but "as in Gershwin" makes it male for naming purposes. It's never appealed to me: too many impressions of gathering storm clouds and war gods screaming across the sky.
I wouldn't use either, but not for reasons of gender ambiguity: I just don't like them enough.
Ira as in Gershwin is a dodgy one. As a (Latin) vocabulary word, it's grammatically feminine, but "as in Gershwin" makes it male for naming purposes. It's never appealed to me: too many impressions of gathering storm clouds and war gods screaming across the sky.
I wouldn't use either, but not for reasons of gender ambiguity: I just don't like them enough.
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Actually, Ariel at its roots is more masculine, but has moved into the fem realm as well and more strongly so since "The Little Mermaid". The problem w/ N. Am. is people are so influenced by Disney movies that the movie image overshadows the reality of a name one way or another. That's why if I used the name for a girl, I'd spell it Arielle in order to make it clear it was fem. My Jewish friends may appreciate the distinction.
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yeah i clicked on it, and i noticed that, and i was like wow really? i mean it would all depend on where people live and stuff.. but because of disney, its gonna be seen as fem... but it looks really girly to me..
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Prob'ly because of the Latin-based (esp. Fr.) names ending in El... Like Belle, Isabelle, Raquel, Rochelle, Laurelle, etc.
However, Hebr. names for boys frequently contain "El" in reference to G-d.
Raphael
Gabriel
Ezekiel
Elijah
Elkanah
Once you get the concept of it, Ariel can grow on you as less fem... esp. if you have Jewish friends and aquaintances.
However, Hebr. names for boys frequently contain "El" in reference to G-d.
Raphael
Gabriel
Ezekiel
Elijah
Elkanah
Once you get the concept of it, Ariel can grow on you as less fem... esp. if you have Jewish friends and aquaintances.
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Yeah, having never seen Little Mermaid (and the name is not used here), the only person I associate Ariel with is Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. BTW, his nickname is Arik which I also love.
I would seriously use Ariel for a boy, if it wasn't for the detergent brand. Poor Ariel, can't get a break anywhere:-(
I would seriously use Ariel for a boy, if it wasn't for the detergent brand. Poor Ariel, can't get a break anywhere:-(
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yeah i clicked on it, and i noticed that, and i was like wow really? i mean it would all depend on where people live and stuff.. but because of disney, its gonna be seen as fem... but it looks really girly to me..
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