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Help[Opinions] How do YOU pronounce Graham?
An earlier post had the name Graham pronounced GRAY-um. I hadn't really thought it could be pron. that way until I read that. I've known two men named Graham, both of whom pron. their names GRAM. I quite like GRAY-um, but am curious which way most people pron. this name. How would you pronounce it at first glance? Would my kid constantly be correcting people? Do you think of this name as surnamey? Which of the combos below do you think flow well with the GRAY-um pronunciation? Thanks in advance. I know this is a long post for just one name!
Graham Rhys
Graham Walter
Graham Fionntan
Graham Michael
----Betsy-----
Graham Rhys
Graham Walter
Graham Fionntan
Graham Michael
----Betsy-----
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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Replies
Graham = Gram & Graeme = Gray-um (to me at least)
Jacks
"The newborn baby has only three demands. They are warmth in the arms of its mother, food from her breasts, and security in the knowledge of her presence. Breastfeeding satisfies all three". Dr.Grantly Dick-Read
Jacks
"The newborn baby has only three demands. They are warmth in the arms of its mother, food from her breasts, and security in the knowledge of her presence. Breastfeeding satisfies all three". Dr.Grantly Dick-Read
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I pronounce it obviously as GRAY-um as it is my new little nephews name. I live in the United States, i've heard both but mostly GRAM. My brother and sister-in-law saw the pronounciation in a baby name book and loved it, they both would have pronounced it as GRAM before that
Proud Auntie to: Robert Joseph and Brady Lovander, Juliana Mae and Sophia Lee, and now Graham Joseph born 12/10/05
Proud Auntie to: Robert Joseph and Brady Lovander, Juliana Mae and Sophia Lee, and now Graham Joseph born 12/10/05
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I'm from rural Upstate NY and the definite two-syllable drawn out pn of "gray-um" is distinctly southern sounding to my ears. I pronounce it more like "gram" but not quite. There is a distinction between the name and the weight, but the name sounds more and more like "gram" when spoken quickly, etc.
I've heard both pn and like both. Depending on where you're from is what pn the kid will use (or have to constantly correct).
Sidenote: Knew a kid from Massachusetts who pn it more like "gram" and his mom would draw it into two syllables when annoyed with him.
Ask a Scottish person, they'd know best. Isn't that the origin? Haven't looked it up.
Just my two cents,
Tempestgirl
I've heard both pn and like both. Depending on where you're from is what pn the kid will use (or have to constantly correct).
Sidenote: Knew a kid from Massachusetts who pn it more like "gram" and his mom would draw it into two syllables when annoyed with him.
Ask a Scottish person, they'd know best. Isn't that the origin? Haven't looked it up.
Just my two cents,
Tempestgirl
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I'm from rural Upstate NY and the definite two-syllable drawn out pn of "gray-um" is distinctly southern sounding to my ears. I pronounce it more like "gram" but not quite. There is a distinction between the name and the weight, but the name sounds more and more like "gram" when spoken quickly, etc.
I've heard both pn and like both. Depending on where you're from is what pn the kid will use (or have to constantly correct).
Sidenote: Knew a kid from Massachusetts who pn it more like "gram" and his mom would draw it into two syllables when annoyed with him.
Ask a Scottish person, they'd know best. Isn't that the origin? Haven't looked it up.
Just my two cents,
Tempestgirl
I've heard both pn and like both. Depending on where you're from is what pn the kid will use (or have to constantly correct).
Sidenote: Knew a kid from Massachusetts who pn it more like "gram" and his mom would draw it into two syllables when annoyed with him.
Ask a Scottish person, they'd know best. Isn't that the origin? Haven't looked it up.
Just my two cents,
Tempestgirl
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GRAM.
Miranda
Top 10 Reasons Why I Procrastinate:
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Proud adopter of 15 punctuation marks; see my profile for their names.
Top 10 Reasons Why I Procrastinate:
1.
Proud adopter of 15 punctuation marks; see my profile for their names.
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GRAY-um
I've always pronounced it GRAY-um. I think it's a regional thing. (I'm from the Pacific Northwest U.S. if that helps.)
I've always pronounced it GRAY-um. I think it's a regional thing. (I'm from the Pacific Northwest U.S. if that helps.)
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I have always pronounced it GRAY-am. I knew a couple of Grahams when I was younger, so perhaps that's why. Incidently, I pronounce Graeme as GRAM.
I think Graham Rhys or Graham Walter flow the best. Sorry it's not very decisive - I really can't choose between the two!
- Maria
"When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life." - Samuel Johnson
I think Graham Rhys or Graham Walter flow the best. Sorry it's not very decisive - I really can't choose between the two!
"When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life." - Samuel Johnson
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im a kiwi, both graham and graeme are pronounced grey-um, never heard it pronounced gram until now and gram sounds so stupid!!
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I pronounce it like gram.
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I pronunce Graham as "GRAM", like graham cracker and the measurement gram. Graeme has always looked like "GRAYME" to me, though, so I instinctively pronunce it as such.
I like Graham quite a bit, since I think of Graham Nash, a fantastic musician. I probably wouldn't use it myself, though. Of your combos, I like Graham Walter. Other Graham combos I like include Graham Luca, Graham Ignatius, Graham Vicente, Graham Lewis, and Graham Raining.
Array
No matter when or where you've seen
All the knives seem to lacerate your brain
I've had my share, I'll help you with the pain
You're not alone
I like Graham quite a bit, since I think of Graham Nash, a fantastic musician. I probably wouldn't use it myself, though. Of your combos, I like Graham Walter. Other Graham combos I like include Graham Luca, Graham Ignatius, Graham Vicente, Graham Lewis, and Graham Raining.
Array
All the knives seem to lacerate your brain
I've had my share, I'll help you with the pain
You're not alone
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how do you get gram out of graham?
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How do the English get "Wooster" out of "Worcester"? :)
This seems to be one of the few instances where it is Americans rather than the British that do use a shortened pronunciation of an ancient place name or surname.
This seems to be one of the few instances where it is Americans rather than the British that do use a shortened pronunciation of an ancient place name or surname.
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Maybe some Americans. I'm American and say it: Gray-um.
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since when hsa it been pronounced gram??? its grey-um!!!!
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I guess I pronounce it kind of between the two.
More Gray-um, than Gram, though.
______________________________________________
Proud foster mother to 26 exclamation marks. See profile for their names.
More Gray-um, than Gram, though.
______________________________________________
Proud foster mother to 26 exclamation marks. See profile for their names.
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I pronounce both the name and the crackers as GRAM. I had a friend in grad school named Graham and he said it GRAM. I'm from the northeast part of the US.
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It's always Graham to me, but I live in Scotland. It depends on your accent.
_____________________________________________________________________
♥Elinor♥
'Why do people with closed minds, always open their mouths?'
_____________________________________________________________________
♥Elinor♥
'Why do people with closed minds, always open their mouths?'
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I think it's a different pronunciation for different countries because I always pro. it GRAY-umm (I'm from Scotland), but my friend's brother (an American) pro. it as GRAM.
*shrugs*
-Seda*
"Fleece" Navidad!
*shrugs*
-Seda*
"Fleece" Navidad!
This message was edited 12/12/2005, 4:47 AM
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I pronounce it Gram . The other pronunciation sounds odd to my ears.
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I've always heard it pronounced Gray-um and that's how I pronounce it. I've never heard it pronounced Gram before and I don't like that at all! I think in Australia it's always pronounced Gray-um, so it depends on where you live I guess. I don't think of it as been very surnamey. From your combos I like Graham Rhys the best, but Graham Michael is ok.
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GRAY-um. I'd always heard it GRAY-um until my History tutor (who's American) pronounced it GRAM (though the man in question spelt it Graeme)
Graham really grown on me, it's now on my list.
~Louise x
Rimmer: I've seen Westerns, I know how to speak cowboy. Dry white wine and Perrier please.
Lister: Rimmer, what Westerns have you seen? Butch Accountant and the Yuppie Kid?
Graham really grown on me, it's now on my list.
~Louise x
Lister: Rimmer, what Westerns have you seen? Butch Accountant and the Yuppie Kid?
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From what I've read in the other posts, yes, you are right that GRAY-am/em/um is more common for the Aussies!
----Betsy-----
----Betsy-----
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not just Aussies.
Yes, Aussies have given their prn. but what about elsewhere. I can't recall ever hearing someone in England speak of the author Graham Greene as GRAM Greene.
Please people from the U.K., Ireland, Canada, New Zealand.... speak up. I really want to know because my husband and I have "argued" about this matter.
Yes, Aussies have given their prn. but what about elsewhere. I can't recall ever hearing someone in England speak of the author Graham Greene as GRAM Greene.
Please people from the U.K., Ireland, Canada, New Zealand.... speak up. I really want to know because my husband and I have "argued" about this matter.
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Yes. I'm an American and I say GRAY-um too.
But my parents are from England/Ireland and I grew up watching a lot of BBC. But I never heard the "gram" pronunciation (that I can remember) until I started doing these on-line polls.
But my parents are from England/Ireland and I grew up watching a lot of BBC. But I never heard the "gram" pronunciation (that I can remember) until I started doing these on-line polls.
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yea in NZ its alwayz pronounced grey-um, its beginning to drive me insane that ppl pronounce it gram coz thats just insane!!!
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Naz, please read & follow Rule #4.
Thanks
♦ Chrisell ♦
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
Thanks
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
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huh
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What do you mean, "huh"?
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♦ Chrisell ♦
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
Your messages to day have been breaking Rule #4. The link to the rules is at the top of the page, but you can also view them by clicking here:
http://www.behindthename.com/bb/help.php?board=baby#rules
Please read all of the rules, and follow them in future.
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
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how r they breaking the rules
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Netspeak is not allowed (apart from a few recognised terms), and messages must be legible. So shortening your words ('r' instead of 'are', 'no' instead of 'know', 'ppl' instead of 'people') is not allowed. Also, proper English is encouraged to help our English-as-a-second-language members, so please try to use capital letters and full stops where appropriate.
Any questions?
♦ Chrisell ♦
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
Any questions?
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
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Sorry I didn't know, thanks
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No worries, thanks for understanding :-)
♦ Chrisell ♦
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
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Perhaps the differentiation should be "Americans" and "everyone else". Just out of curiosity, how do you pronounce the "graham" in graham crackers (assuming that they are readily available outside of the US. I've never tried to buy them when I was out of country :) )
----Betsy-----
----Betsy-----
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never heard of those crackers before
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crackers
They do warn about cracker jokes in one of my American name books. In English I say GRAM crackers ( don't tend to speak of them too often), while in Swedish we prn it GRAH-HAM (not very attractive if people would do that to the name) usually speaking of the type of flour and buns breadbuns baked with said flour.
So I can't use the name, sadly.
They do warn about cracker jokes in one of my American name books. In English I say GRAM crackers ( don't tend to speak of them too often), while in Swedish we prn it GRAH-HAM (not very attractive if people would do that to the name) usually speaking of the type of flour and buns breadbuns baked with said flour.
So I can't use the name, sadly.
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I've only ever heard GRAY-um (or, in Australian, GRAY'm) and as far as I know, that's correct.
Graham Rhys and Graham Walter are fantastic. My cousin is Ross Graeme - I don't like that spelling, but Graham Ross would be another good Graham combo.
:-)
♦ Chrisell ♦
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
Graham Rhys and Graham Walter are fantastic. My cousin is Ross Graeme - I don't like that spelling, but Graham Ross would be another good Graham combo.
:-)
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
1
I agree with not liking the spelling Graeme (tend to want to say Grey-me). On the other hand, Graham makes us, here in North America, think of graham crackers-can't remember if you have them in Australia? This is a real deterent to using this pleasant name, as the crackers are a popular snack with children!
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I think we may have them, but no-one would think of them first when they heard Graham. We have another name for them that's more popular, too (although, what it is currently escapes me!).
♦ Chrisell ♦
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
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So apparently I'll have to move to Austrailia to pronounce it GRAY-um :) After the "safest places to live" discussion in the lounge this might not be a bad idea!
----Betsy-----
----Betsy-----
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new zealand is safer than aus!
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I usually hear it pronounced as GRAM. It's a family name for me. My uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all given Graham as a middle name. They pronounce it GRAM. The pronunciation differences might be regional. They're from the South.
This message was edited 12/12/2005, 1:31 AM
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