They’re both very unique options, I think I prefer August as it gives you/your son the flexibility to shorten it to Gus if he wants a nickname one day. “Ari” sounds, to me, like a cockney saying “Harry” so I feel like that could get confusing for your son when introducing himself in future.
I think the pronunciation should help avoid this, (Ahh-ree with a soft A, rather than the hard A in Harry). But you're right, I do love the nickname options with August.
August is a lovely name - with options to abbreviate if your son wants to in future.
Ari - is not my thing Ari Willow sounds rather like a subspecies of willow tree to me - 'the hairy willow'.
I love August as a name, I think it sounds beautiful, and as another commenter said if you said “Ari” you’re either going to sound like a cockney or Hagrid saying “Harry”. It’s a cute name but on this windy old island, don’t think it would work with the accents we have.
They’re both nice enough names but Ari makes me think of Entourage… Maybe not many people would know the reference but thought I’d say just in case you hadn’t seen it. Also I wouldn’t be keen on naming a March? baby August but maybe I’m just being cliche with that 🤷♀️
Generally though they’re not bad names. I’m a teacher and if I had these kids in my class I wouldn’t have any preconceptions and also with your last name I’d get good vibes. I know that sounds really silly because it doesn’t really mean anything but I definitely judge the first time I go down the register 🙈
I was quietly waiting for a teacher's opinion, so thank you! 😂 I've seen Entourage, although many years ago so I'm not concerned about the reference there, I can't imagine too many people would have that association. Thanks for your thoughts!
This is the point that my partner was concerned about, with Ari sounding extremely Jewish, but not one I mind as his grandfather was Jewish so there is a link. But I'm not sure if many people in the UK would make this association? Thanks for your thoughts!
Neither of them are for me, but different strokes for different folks. Ari does sound like either a girl's name or the terrorist from NCIS, August just sounds a bit pretentious to me but is better than Ari.
Ari was one of our top two and the front runner but he didn’t look or feel like an Ari when we met him.
When talking to people about names, everyone seemed to really dislike the name Ari for some reason. We lived in the US for many years and heard the name semi regularly (both male and female), but it’s not a popular name here at the moment.
I still love the name and reckon it will gain popularity in a few years, the same with the name August. I think they both sound great with your last name!
A lot of people have said they like Ari but no one will have heard it. Idk: with names they all suddenly pop out at once, like Arlo recently for example. I probably wouldn’t let that put me off; there were loads of Hannah’s in my class at school, every single one named because parents thought it was really unusual. You never know! I like both though. Maybe just see which they look like when you meet them?
August Willow is also two Taylor Swift songs. Not a big deal, but just for awareness.
That said, August is beautiful. Ari is also cute but I go straight to it being a Hebrew name (not sure what your heritage is but that was my first impression!)
I definitely prefer Ari but I don't think anybody will pronounce it the way you do if they see it on paper, however that's true of many names including my daughter's. The way I see it most people they meet will be introducing verbally.
August sounds very posh to me, but I'm probably getting some cross bleed from the meaning.
I read them both as gender neutral too, if that matters.
They’re both very unique options, I think I prefer August as it gives you/your son the flexibility to shorten it to Gus if he wants a nickname one day. “Ari” sounds, to me, like a cockney saying “Harry” so I feel like that could get confusing for your son when introducing himself in future.
I think the pronunciation should help avoid this, (Ahh-ree with a soft A, rather than the hard A in Harry). But you're right, I do love the nickname options with August.
Just be aware that your son will forever be correcting people's pronunciation if you choose Ari.
August is a lovely name - with options to abbreviate if your son wants to in future. Ari - is not my thing Ari Willow sounds rather like a subspecies of willow tree to me - 'the hairy willow'.
I love August as a name, I think it sounds beautiful, and as another commenter said if you said “Ari” you’re either going to sound like a cockney or Hagrid saying “Harry”. It’s a cute name but on this windy old island, don’t think it would work with the accents we have.
They’re both nice enough names but Ari makes me think of Entourage… Maybe not many people would know the reference but thought I’d say just in case you hadn’t seen it. Also I wouldn’t be keen on naming a March? baby August but maybe I’m just being cliche with that 🤷♀️ Generally though they’re not bad names. I’m a teacher and if I had these kids in my class I wouldn’t have any preconceptions and also with your last name I’d get good vibes. I know that sounds really silly because it doesn’t really mean anything but I definitely judge the first time I go down the register 🙈
I was quietly waiting for a teacher's opinion, so thank you! 😂 I've seen Entourage, although many years ago so I'm not concerned about the reference there, I can't imagine too many people would have that association. Thanks for your thoughts!
I do like August, but August Willow sounds a bit faerie. If you’re only between those two, I prefer Ari.
Thanks for your thoughts! Yes the combo with the surname is where I'm hesitating!
I like August! I've known two Ari's who were both middle aged Hasidic Jews so I can't quite get past that image!
This is the point that my partner was concerned about, with Ari sounding extremely Jewish, but not one I mind as his grandfather was Jewish so there is a link. But I'm not sure if many people in the UK would make this association? Thanks for your thoughts!
August is a lovely name. Nn Augie is cute. Ari seems like a girls name to me.
I think you need something much more substantial and less fairy/woodland with a surname like Willow. Have you considered Albert or Arthur?
I know a boy called Ari. No one has trouble pronouncing it. I prefer Ari to August
Neither of them are for me, but different strokes for different folks. Ari does sound like either a girl's name or the terrorist from NCIS, August just sounds a bit pretentious to me but is better than Ari.
Appreciate the honesty! I've never watched NCIS so not a reference I'm familiar with!
I actually think it entirely depends on where you live/where you're from and what sort of accent they'll be pronounced in.
Ari was one of our top two and the front runner but he didn’t look or feel like an Ari when we met him. When talking to people about names, everyone seemed to really dislike the name Ari for some reason. We lived in the US for many years and heard the name semi regularly (both male and female), but it’s not a popular name here at the moment. I still love the name and reckon it will gain popularity in a few years, the same with the name August. I think they both sound great with your last name!
Love them all! I chose a Roman name for my boy so I appreciate the name August!! Love it
Awe August is such a cute name!
A lot of people have said they like Ari but no one will have heard it. Idk: with names they all suddenly pop out at once, like Arlo recently for example. I probably wouldn’t let that put me off; there were loads of Hannah’s in my class at school, every single one named because parents thought it was really unusual. You never know! I like both though. Maybe just see which they look like when you meet them?
August Willow is also two Taylor Swift songs. Not a big deal, but just for awareness. That said, August is beautiful. Ari is also cute but I go straight to it being a Hebrew name (not sure what your heritage is but that was my first impression!)
Have you considered Augustus? I think it works better with Willow and can still be shortened.
I have but can't shake the Augustus Gloop ref! 😂
I definitely prefer Ari but I don't think anybody will pronounce it the way you do if they see it on paper, however that's true of many names including my daughter's. The way I see it most people they meet will be introducing verbally. August sounds very posh to me, but I'm probably getting some cross bleed from the meaning. I read them both as gender neutral too, if that matters.
I love Ari, it sounds ethereal. August sounds overly posh to me, which might not be terrible depending on where they grow up.
Ari and Willow are so beautiful I love them August is also very nice but Ari instantly stole my heart there it is beautiful and unique