"bane, destruction (war god)"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Ares
Pronunciation: [ AHRZ ]
Does Ares flow with your last name?
The ancient Greek god of war, fierce and powerful
Greek
American
Bold
Mythological
Strong
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"virile one"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
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Things to Know About This Name
- Direct association with the Greek god of war and bloodlust — may seem aggressive to some
The Story of Ares
Ares is the name of the Greek god of war, one of the twelve Olympians and son of Zeus and Hera. The etymology of Ares is debated — some scholars connect it to an ancient root meaning 'destruction' or 'bane,' while others link it to 'ara' meaning 'blight.' Ares was notoriously unpopular among the gods in Greek myth — even Zeus, his father, called him the most hateful of the Olympians — but he was worshipped as a protector deity in Sparta.
Ares has entered baby name charts in the 2010s as parents embraced mythology-inspired names alongside Orion, Atlas, Apollo, and Zeus. Marvel Comics' Ares (appearing in Thor comics and Wonder Woman films) brought additional modern exposure to the name.
In ancient Greece, Ares was both feared and honored as the spirit of battle. The Roman equivalent Mars lent his name to the month of March and the planet Mars. Despite being unpopular among the Olympians, Ares was revered by warriors and the city of Sparta in particular.
Historical Record
Ares first appeared in US Social Security records in 1983.
Over 7,120 babies have been named Ares in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ares is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #295 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Ares is linguistically connected to the word 'areté' (excellence/virtue) — a paradox given his violent nature
- The planet Mars was named after Ares' Roman equivalent, and March is named after Mars
- In Greek mythology, Ares and Aphrodite (goddess of love) had a famous love affair, producing Eros (Cupid) and Harmonia
Ares in Other Languages
Greek
Άρης
Latin
Mars
Arabic
أريس
French
Arès
Spanish
Ares
Japanese
アレス
Popularity Over Time
#295
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ares
A
Ares Merabet
Athlete
1998
French professional football player
A
Ares (Greek Mythology) Fictional
Other
Greek god of war, son of Zeus and Hera, one of the twelve Olympians
A
Ares (DC Comics) Fictional
Other
Primary antagonist of Wonder Woman in DC Comics, portrayed as the god of war seeking eternal conflict
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #295
- Total SSA Count
- 1,136
- Cultural Origins
- Greek American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ari
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ares
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Ares is also used as a girl name, ranked #5677.
View Ares as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ares
What does the name Ares mean?
"bane, destruction (war god)" (from Greek). "virile one" (from Greek). Ares is the name of the Greek god of war, one of the twelve Olympians and son of Zeus and Hera. The etymology of Ares is debated — some scholars connect it to an ancient root meaning 'destruction' or 'bane,' while others link it to 'ara' meaning 'blight.' Ares was notoriously unpopular among the gods in Greek myth — even Zeus, his father, called him the most hateful of the Olympians — but he was worshipped as a protector deity in Sparta.
What is the origin of the name Ares?
Ares has Greek and American origins. In Greek, it means "bane, destruction (war god)". In Greek, it means "virile one".
Is Ares a boy or girl name?
Ares is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #295. As a girl name, it is ranked #5677. Ares is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Ares?
Ares is pronounced AHRZ.
How popular is the name Ares?
Ares is currently ranked #295 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ares?
Common nicknames for Ares include Ari.
What are good middle names for Ares?
Popular middle name pairings include Ares James, Ares Cole, Ares Storm, Ares Valor, Ares Leon, Ares Rex, and Ares Blaze.
What are good sibling names for Ares?
Names that pair well with Ares as siblings include Orion, Atlas, Zeus, Apollo, Athena, Lyra, and Zephyr.
How many syllables does Ares have?
Ares has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ares a common or rare name?
Ares is a popular name, ranked #295 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Ares?
Are there other spellings for Ares?
Related spellings include Aren.
About the Name Ares
Ares is a boy name with Greek and American origins . The name means "bane, destruction (war god)" in Greek .
Is Ares a boy or girl name? Ares is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #295 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #5,677. Ares is more commonly used as a boy name.
Ares is currently ranked #295 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Ares has 2 syllables and is pronounced AHRZ, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Ares include Ari. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ares include Aren . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis