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Aris

Boy name · 14 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Aris: 14 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 5 births in 2022.

Aris is a name of Greek origin, derived from the word *aristos*, meaning "the best" or "very good," often connected to the ancient Greek god of war, Ares, though it is not a direct translation. In modern usage, it is also a shorter form of Aristides or Aristotle. One of the most famous bearers was the Scottish-born philosopher and writer Sir William Aris, though the name is more widely recognised internationally through figures like Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, whose nickname was Ari. The name also shares its root with the Scottish town of Aris, though this is a separate etymological path. A notable variant is Ari, which has Hebrew origins meaning "lion" and is popular in Iceland, while Aris itself remains a crisp, concise choice with classical echoes.