Although we cannot know for certain, I would guess that the origin of Ares is based upon the word for male, for many reasons. First off, the symbol for his planet, Mars, is the symbol for masculinity, secondly, his counterpart, with whom he has a son, Aphrodite, is the epitome of womankind (and he is already an example of the Greek masculine ideal). Greek mythology is full of such references of balance, and is not known for its subtlety. It is, after all, created by the masses.