Ariel as a boys name?

MrsJIsbell

Hi everyone. We're still struggling on choosing a name for our little man. Hubby is back on board with Judah (yay!). Now all we need is a middle name. We played with the idea of River Judah vs Judah River but we just weren't happy with the sound of either so we're saving River for baby number 2.
We have been searching for a name that means lion and found Ariel (ar-ee-el), meaning lion of God. I'm Hispanic (hubby isn't) and in my culture Ariel is strictly a male name (the same is true in other cultures) but I'm worried about what the feel is for the name here in the states.
The pronunciation for the male name Ariel is different than the name associated with Disney's the little mermaid. I'm just worried that although I love the name he might get picked on.

What do you guys think of the name Judah Ariel? nn Ari?
I assume most of us were young when the movie The Little Mermaid came out so Ariel might seem like it's a girls name.... Do you think that a few years down the road my child's playmates will make the same association?
Any suggestions on a mn for baby Judah?

wassuphoes

I think Judah Ariel is nice. I don't think Judah needs a nick name, and middle names shouldn't be an issue for teasing.

saham07

It is fine in the middle name spot. I wouldn't use Ariel for a boy as a first name though.

lifeonthehill

I would use it as a MN but not as a first name.

I love it for a girl but respect the history of the name. I have met a few international students with brothers named Ariel and the American students would question it on a boy in a nice way.

MrsJIsbell

Thanks, I'm glad that for the most part I'm hearing teasing shouldn't be an issue since it's a mn. I really love the name and hubby likes that he and baby will share the same initials. I might just be over thinking it because I have always hated both my first and mn, I don't want baby Judah to grow up feeling the same way.

4N6s

It's fine for the middle name.

Sassenach1743

So, you're going to name him Judah Ariel and call him Ari? Why?
If you want to call him Ari, which is its own name in itself (and also means Lion)... then just name him Ari Judah.
Why use Judah as his first name if you're not going to call him by it? I don't get it.
Honestly, I think Judah, Ariel, and Ari are all great names but don't use Ariel if you really want to call your son Ari. They are two separate names. Neither of which need a nickname at all. And as far as teasing is concerned, I don't think it will be an issue... especially if you use Ari, then there won't be a "Little Mermaid" association.

MrsJIsbell

Haven't completely decided on the name yet, hubby isn't really into it anymore. It's still on the list though. This whole baby naming thing is so hard!
As for using the nickname Ari, I was thinking more like a pet name for him that really only my husband and I would use. We would use Judah for the most part and would introduce him as Judah.
I also do realize that Ari is a name on its own and that it means lion. I just really liked the meaning for Ariel and in my culture Ari isn't really used as a name but is an acceptable nickname for a couple of masculine and feminine names.

VioletandRose

Sorry to be a downer, but I have to at least mention it...I know Ariel is often used as a male name, but when I hear it I think of Ariel Castro. (the guy in Ohio that tortured and held those girls captive for many years.)

MrsJIsbell

VioletandRose said:

Sorry to be a downer, but I have to at least mention it...I know Ariel is often used as a male name, but when I hear it I think of Ariel Castro. (the guy in Ohio that tortured and held those girls captive for many years.)

Yea, I ran into this while I was looking into the name. Yikes!
Well, the love and I finally decided on a name we both love....
Judah Dean Isbell

HeavenBlessedMom

I just think of the mermaid