[xavierbirds]

Im a bit stuck with my partner, we're expecting a little boy and Im keen to hear your feedback on this name:

Ariel Zion Xavier.

Background: I am hooked on the name Ari, but my partner thinks we need to expand it, (he is not so keen on Ari and says he probably won't call him Ari even if I do..... not sure how that will work). Ive had the name Ariella in my head since forever (for a girl). Ariel is the boys version. I'd prefer to go with Ari as it has so many meanings and I love the sound. I'm a little concerned that expanding it to Ariel will be too effeminate for "society" particularly during roll call at school etc, at least in his pre-teen / teen years. My partners really likes Ariel for a boy, we both see it as unique and beautiful although my preference is definitely for Ari.

Another "expanded" version my partner likes is Aristo but I just think of an old bald man in robes when I hear that. Some others we came up with are Arieh, Arie, Aris. Any thoughts on these?

We both love Zion for his middle name. We see this as allowing a second nickname option of Ze (which my partner much prefers to Ari).

What is some general feedback? Ariel for a boy?

[la di dah]

I like Ariel for a boy. I have known probably five or six (over the course of my life not all at one place or something) Ariels who were boys/men.

It is less common in Australia though.

I maybe slightly favour Ari but I still like Ariel. Ari is awesome though.

Arturo is my favourite long Ar-starting name but I don't think Ari NEEDS a long form. There's also Arthur NN Ari which isn't bad and more pleasant to my ear than Art.

I'm not sure I like Zion as a name. I'm familiar with Benzion, that's an old-fashioned family name of mine. (means son-of-Zion).

I think Ariel Xavier is a good combo and really like just that, but I am not mad for 2-middles ever so that's my admitted bias.

[Old Grey Mare]

By naming your son Ariel you are setting him up for a lifetime of ridicule. It is absolutely a girls name. Please keep trying to find a name you like but not Ariel.

[Ehill]

I prefer Ari. I have a Princess obsessed daughter and all I think of is Ariel from The Little Mermaid so I dont really think of it as a boys name.

But having said that, it doesnt offend me. I probably wouldnt think twice if heard it.

[feliz6]

I wouldn't choose Ariel for a boy it sounds very feminine to me. I would probably likeZion but it reminds me of Zion national park in America. There is nothing wrong with Zion national park I just wouldn't name my son after it. Of the names you have suggested I think I prefer arieh. I agree with ur DH that air sounds like a nn and I prefer a fuller name even if they are mostly known by their nn.

[bakesgirls]

Wasn't that the name of the 'Little Mermaid'? It sounds like a girls name OP.

[robot sm]

I know a male Ariel, it's unusual but no more feminine than a lot of boys names you hear now...

I think you could easily just have Ari, without having to extend it.

[~Peaches~]

I absolutely love Ari, pity your DP won't come around to Ari on it's own, it's a lovely name.

Ariel for a boy I am not a fan of, I know 3 girls with the name Ariel so it's definitely more feminine to me. Out of all the others on your list the only one that stands out to me that could be more 'masculine' is Aris. I still prefer Ari on it's own by a mile though

[Tigerdog]

Ari standing on its own is way better than feminising it to Ariel just for the sake of having another longer option (which he probably wouldn't use due to its girlishness). Zion I'm not that keen on, reminds me of The Rivers of Babylon (where we sat down, yeah we wept, when we remembered Zion lalala - connotations of slavery).

[la di dah]

I think it is more popular on boys in America as it's popular amongst mostly Jews and Latinos (neither massive populations out here).

It's been in the Top 1000 for boys in the US for about 40 years, and is traditionally male.

From '88 to '98 it was in the 400s and a bit in the 300s. Now it's in the 600s.

I just think of it as an angel name like Gabriel or Michael/Miguel or Raphael/Rafael, it becomes a feminine variant only if it gets an -a or -le ending on the end.