What do you think of Ari? We're not Jewish

alisonemma · October 2010

I have always loved the name Ari, but I've never met/heard of anyone with this name who was not Jewish. Do you think there would be any issues for a non-Jewish child with the name Ari? We live in a community with a lot of Jewish people and synagogues, if that makes any difference.

brighteyes888 · October 2010

If you like the name I don't think it at all matters....

sunnyday016 · October 2010

I like it! I don't think it matters if you're not Jewish.

msmerymac · October 2010

Ari is usually a nickname for Ariel.

I love it, but I'm not Jewish, and I wouldn't use it. If you have a German or Eastern European last name, people will assume he's Jewish, but it will at least sound okay. If you have an Irish/French/Italian last name it will sound weird.

mmclaussen · October 2010

I love the name Ari. It was on our short list but we're having a girl and people kept telling us it made them think of a Jewish boy, lol. That's not what made us cut it from our list though - we thought Elsa sounded prettier with the middle names we were planning to use.

HappyMrsK · October 2010

I think it's fine to use, but people may assume he is Jewish since you obviously make that connection to the name and others may as well where you live.

*edited for clarity

alisonemma · October 2010

msmerymac:

Ari is usually a nickname for Ariel.

I love it, but I'm not Jewish, and I wouldn't use it. If you have a German or Eastern European last name, people will assume he's Jewish, but it will at least sound okay. If you have an Irish/French/Italian last name it will sound weird.

We have an E. European last name.

Ari means "Lion" and Ariel means "Lion of God." I don't think Ari is necessarily a diminuitive (?)

HappyMrsK · October 2010

alisonemma:
msmerymac:

Ari is usually a nickname for Ariel.

I love it, but I'm not Jewish, and I wouldn't use it. If you have a German or Eastern European last name, people will assume he's Jewish, but it will at least sound okay. If you have an Irish/French/Italian last name it will sound weird.

We have an E. European last name.

Ari means "Lion" and Ariel means "Lion of God." I don't think Ari is necessarily a diminuitive (?)

Ari is fine as a stand alone name IMO.

msmerymac · October 2010

alisonemma:
msmerymac:

Ari is usually a nickname for Ariel.

I love it, but I'm not Jewish, and I wouldn't use it. If you have a German or Eastern European last name, people will assume he's Jewish, but it will at least sound okay. If you have an Irish/French/Italian last name it will sound weird.

We have an E. European last name.

Ari means "Lion" and Ariel means "Lion of God." I don't think Ari is necessarily a diminuitive (?)

That's just the way I've seen it. I'm not sure I've ever met a stand-alone Ari. But like I said, I like the name. I'm not Jewish, so you might want to get opinions from some people who are, but I don't think there's any cultural appropriate that has to do with the name (unlike the dreaded Cohen), it's just common in the Jewish community. *shrug*

ValentineBB · October 2010

I say if you like it, go for it. We are naming our daughter Sadie, which is Hebrew and we aren't Jewish. Think of all the non-Italian Giannas & Anthonys running around...I don't think it really matters!

shannm · October 2010

I think it could confuse people but I don't think anyone would be offended.

Mrs.Carlybella · October 2010

I like it- and I don't think it would be a problem, however I do think many would assume he was Jewish (which isn't a problem or deterrent, just a though)

LittleDucky · October 2010

shannm:
I think it could confuse people but I don't think anyone would be offended.

This - it would surprise me to meet a non-Jewish Ari, but I wouldn't be offended by it in any way. I might think it was a little odd.

MnM7608 · October 2010

Speaking as someone who's Jewish, I don't think anyone would have a problem with you naming your son Ari. If I saw the name, though, I would probably assume that he was Jewish.

NicoleWI · October 2010

I think people will assume you're Jewish, especially if you live in a Jewish area. That might not matter at all, but it's something to think about.

queenbone · October 2010

Ari is nice, I would probably assume he was Jewish. But I don't think you should avoid using it just because you aren't Jewish. Think of all the non-Scotttish Mackenzieees and Kamryns

RockysLove · October 2010

If I knew you weren't Jewish, I'd think you might be a big fan of Weeds.

Brytany09 · October 2010

I like it!

alisonemma · October 2010

RockysLove:
If I knew you weren't Jewish, I'd think you might be a big fan of Weeds.

Or Entourage. LOL

alisonemma · October 2010

queenbone:
Ari is nice, I would probably assume he was Jewish. But I don't think you should avoid using it just because you aren't Jewish. Think of all the non-Scotttish Mackenzieees and Kamryns

True, true. My husband's cousin Darko is married to a woman name Bora and they named their kid... Aidan. They are certainly NOT Irish.

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