How to say it
A · res
ˈɛər.iːz
Masculine
Ares
Greek god of war
What it means
The name of the Greek god of war; the meaning is uncertain, possibly tied to an old word for battle or ruin.
Ares is the Greek god of war, son of Zeus and Hera and the Olympian counterpart to the Roman Mars. The literal meaning is lost, with guesses pointing to an early word for 'battle' or 'bane.' It has surged as parents reach for bold mythology names alongside Atlas and Zeus. Note that it sounds like the zodiac sign Aries, which has a separate origin, so expect to clarify the spelling.
How to spell Ares
The standard spelling is Ares. Common variants include Aries, but Ares is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #290 in 2025, currently #290 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
Said AIR-eez; it sounds like the zodiac Aries, which is a different word, so the spelling needs clarifying out loud.
- Pop culture
A bold mythology pick: the unfiltered Greek god of war himself.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Ares Greek god of war, son of Zeus and Hera
Spelling variants
- Aries
Names with the same feeling
See Ares from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Ares mean?
- The name of the Greek god of war; the meaning is uncertain, possibly tied to an old word for battle or ruin.
- What does Ares mean in Greek?
- In Greek, Ares means "Greek god of war." Ares is the Greek god of war, son of Zeus and Hera and the Olympian counterpart to the Roman Mars. The literal meaning is lost, with guesses pointing to an early word for 'battle' or 'bane.' It has surged as parents reach for bold mythology names alongside Atlas and Zeus. Note that it sounds like the zodiac sign Aries, which has a separate origin, so expect to clarify the spelling.
- How do you pronounce Ares?
- Ares is pronounced ˈɛər.iːz. Say it as A-res, with the stress on the "a" syllable.
- How do you spell Ares?
- The standard spelling is Ares. Common spelling variants include Aries.
- Is Ares a boy or girl name?
- Ares is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Ares?
- Ares ranked #290 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.