In my opinion
Ari (ah-ri) could be a nn for Aryeh (ah-ryeh, "eh" like men, pet) or
Ariel (ah-ryel).
Ari can also be a nn for
Yehudah (totally Jewish concept,
Yehudah was compared to a lion in the Bible, so that's why).
Although
Ari is rather common, I don't know anyone named
Asa (ah-sa, not ay-sa). Strange. The Biblical person isn't a negative one though, contrary to many names that are not used (like
Jezebel,
Dathan,
Aviram...). Check:
http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/p7.htmhttp://www.american-pictures.com/genealogy/persons/per02864.htmIt could be a nn for
Asaf (ah-sahf) or maybe
Asher (ah-sher, "e" like men).