Graham or Graeme?

tazluvr

Which spelling do you prefer? Which is the "original?" 

 

sarahbeth27

Seriously?

I wouldn't know how to pronounce Graeme - my first reaction was Gray-me. I've never seen this spelling before... I don't know which one is "original" but definitely go with Graham.

newportbride715

I like both. I appreciate ethnic/original name spellings (DS is Lukas) but I do think Graham would be easier to read/pronounce by those who may not be familiar w/ Graeme...so if that matters to you, go w/ Graham.

Sarah053009

I prefer Graham. 

SnowyBaby

I would go with Graham.  When I first saw this spelling, I thought it was Gray-ME as well.  Now I get it, but I think Graham is much easier.

purplerhi

mj.reilly:

Graeme is the traditional, original spelling.

I prefer Graeme.

This 

jessicasuzann

I asked this about 2 weeks ago. Love the name(s).

I prefer Graeme, the original spelling.  And I wish I could use it, but I think we'll end up using Graham, but only because DD is Maeve, and Graeme/Maeve look too matchy--especially since they do NOT rhyme, but look like they ought to.

Think of it this way: many names are mispronounced the first time--even "common" names. Use the spelling you prefer, and just be willing to politely correct people once if need be. ;-)

HannahO28

Graeme is like the name of the month...I've seen it posted on here so many times lately. 

I appreciate original spellings being used, but I think a lot of people would have trouble pronouncing Graeme. I would go with Graham personally.  

andrea922

sarahbeth27:

Seriously?

I wouldn't know how to pronounce Graeme - my first reaction was Gray-me. I've never seen this spelling before... I don't know which one is "original" but definitely go with Graham.

Seriously, since Graeme is the traditional spelling. Just because you haven't seen it before doesn't mean it is not a name.

I prefer Graeme.

completelyundefinable

I prefer Graham.

plunderb

I like Graham better. It's not a modern invented spelling ? there are Grahams (spelled that way) in the Domesday Book (11th century), so I don't think that "original" is really all that important at this point.

Graeme is fine, and you should use it if you like it better. I think that there are legitimate reasons to use Graham, not least of which is ease of pronunciation. Full disclosure: I have a brother named Graham.

Patches08

I wouldn't know how to pronounce Graeme. I don't like the name itself but if you're going to use it I would suggest Graham.

sarahbeth27

andrea922:

sarahbeth27:

Seriously?

I wouldn't know how to pronounce Graeme - my first reaction was Gray-me. I've never seen this spelling before... I don't know which one is "original" but definitely go with Graham.

Seriously, since Graeme is the traditional spelling. Just because you haven't seen it before doesn't mean it is not a name.

I prefer Graeme.

I'm pretty sure I am not in the minority on this one. I may be the minority on this name board... but in the general public, I don't think people would recognize Graeme as an alternative (or original) spelling for Graham.

erinms

I prefer Graham and think it is the one least likely to cause confusion for people saying or spelling the name.

I love Graham, I think it is super cute. 

J+R

Graham.  Don't like Graeme at all, and I wouldnt have a clue how to say it...

alliejo725

I think Graeme is the original, but I prefer the look of Graham. I think the pronunciation is more intuitive, and it doesn't look like a Lord of the Rings character.

geezbby09

SnowyBaby:

I would go with Graham.  When I first saw this spelling, I thought it was Gray-ME as well.  Now I get it, but I think Graham is much easier.

this.
I saw a post with this the other day & I was like What? Gray-ME? 

Elsa1984

Graham. 

 

I didnt even know what Graeme was/is until you mentioned that it was a different spelling of Graham.... 

PhilsWife07

sarahbeth27:

andrea922:

sarahbeth27:

Seriously?

I wouldn't know how to pronounce Graeme - my first reaction was Gray-me. I've never seen this spelling before... I don't know which one is "original" but definitely go with Graham.

Seriously, since Graeme is the traditional spelling. Just because you haven't seen it before doesn't mean it is not a name.

I prefer Graeme.

I'm pretty sure I am not in the minority on this one. I may be the minority on this name board... but in the general public, I don't think people would recognize Graeme as an alternative (or original) spelling for Graham.

 

I agree with you. 

beaner123

I much prefer Graeme.....Graham reminds me of the cookie..

BlueRidge8

I prefer Graeme.

Don't be afraid to use the original!

Erina1004

mj.reilly:

Graeme is the traditional, original spelling.

I prefer Graeme.

This.  It was 2nd on our short list and we even considered it for a middle name after we chose the first name.

schnappycat

I love both, but my maiden name is Graham, so I'm biased. Great name!

plunderb

I'm a little surprised that people are getting caught up on Graeme being the "original" spelling. It is certainly an old spelling, but not necessarily the original. Graham is a variant of the English place name Grantham and families named Graham were around at the time of the Norman conquest. Of course, English spelling was not standardized then, but the name was regularly spelled Graham (and Graeme, and Gram, and Graegham, and Grame).

Graeme is Scottish, but it is no more correct or original than Graham. It's silly to argue about the "original" when the spellings are interchangeable as far back as the written record of them goes.

I don't mind the Graeme spelling, but don't use it just because you want to be "correct." This strikes me as an example of hyper-correction, similar to people who spell Megan as Meaghan in a misguided attempt to Irish it up.

kbratton2king

HannahO28:

Graeme is like the name of the month...I've seen it posted on here so many times lately. 

I appreciate original spellings being used, but I think a lot of people would have trouble pronouncing Graeme. I would go with Graham personally.  

Yep.

damabo80

sarahbeth27:

Seriously?

I wouldn't know how to pronounce Graeme - my first reaction was Gray-me. I've never seen this spelling before... I don't know which one is "original" but definitely go with Graham.

Agreed. Unless you are going to be living in a country where "Graeme" is considered to be the "normal" name. But if you are living in US/Canada, stick with Graham.