Aras

Lithuanian: ‘eagle’. In Turkish use, the name also has a connection with the river Aras.

Aras has more than one cultural background. In Lithuanian, this masculine name comes from a poetic word meaning ‘eagle’. It is also used for boys in Turkish, where it is associated with the river Aras. These are separate explanations: ‘eagle’ is not the Turkish meaning of the name, and the river name’s deeper derivation remains uncertain. The same four letters can therefore carry either a bird image or a geographical connection. Its two open a vowels and final s give Aras a spare, clear outline to our ear. A German pronunciation, /ˈaːʁas/, puts the emphasis at the beginning. The eagle image can suggest height and open skies, while the river connection may hold meaning for a family with ties to that landscape.

Etymology: Lithuanian Aras comes from a poetic word for ‘eagle’. Turkish use belongs to a separate naming context associated with the river Aras; the river name’s deeper derivation is uncertain.