Ares

♂ Boy

Pronounced AIR-eez /ˈɛəriːz/High

Meaning: Bane, ruin; the Greek god of warMedium

In 30 seconds: The name of the Greek god of war — bold, mythological, and impossible to ignore. Ares is the most powerful deity name in the baby-name landscape right now, chosen by parents who want mythological gravitas without Roman convention.

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Origin HighGreek

MeaningBane, ruin; the Greek god of war

U.S. rank (2025)#290 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births1,157 boys (0.07% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 8,277

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Ares (Ἄρης) is the ancient Greek god of war, son of Zeus and Hera. His name's etymology is uncertain; possible roots include the Greek ara (bane, harm) or a connection to Indo-European war roots. Unlike his Roman counterpart Mars, Ares in Greek mythology was often depicted as chaotic and bloodthirsty rather than disciplined and honourable.

As a given name, Ares has been rising in the United States in the 21st century, driven by the fashion for mythological names like Zeus, Apollo, and Orion. It entered the U.S. top 300 for boys and appeals to parents drawn to powerful, ancient names with unmistakable identity.

Did you know? Ares was one of the twelve Olympian gods but was considered less noble than his Roman equivalent Mars — Homer portrays Ares as brutal and impulsive where Mars was disciplined, making Ares a more complex, wild deity.

Overall data confidence 82%

Behind the Name — Ares — etymology and mythologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

ArisMars

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Ares (Greek mythology)
Greek Olympian god of war, son of Zeus and Hera, counterpart to Roman Mars.

If you like Ares…

Zeus— supreme Olympian god name with the same bold mythological authority

Apollo— Greek god name with the same mythological grandeur and growing modern use

Orion— Greek mythological hunter name with the same celestial, three-syllable power

Atlas— Titan name with the same overwhelming mythological strength and cool

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ares mean?

Ares is the name of the ancient Greek god of war. The etymology is uncertain; possible meanings include 'bane' or 'harm' from the Greek ara.

How do you pronounce Ares?

It is said AIR-eez /ˈɛəriːz/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Ares a boy or girl name?

Ares is used almost exclusively as a boys' name.

How popular is Ares?

Ares entered the U.S. top 300 for boys in the mid-2020s and continues to rise.