Baby Names

Graham is technically two syllables, not one

I've seen quite a few posts indicating that Graham is a one syllable name. It's actually two--pronounced GRAY-em. Not Gram, which IS one syllable.

It's my maiden name and I get that it's subtle, but just a PSA for those looking for a true one syllable name. 

ETA: I'm actually pretty guilty of pronouncing it like "Gram" myself quite often, but officially it's definitely supposed to be two syllables. My dad would drive me nuts reminding us of the fact. ;) And if you look it up in name guides, I'm pretty sure it would indicate it is two. It's just very subtle. I really don't care, but others might if they truly don't want two syllables.

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Re: Graham is technically two syllables, not one

  • hmm, that is interesting :)

    Every Graham I know has pronounced it Gram themselves-  I wonder if it is regional.

    EDD with #4  01-20-14
    Proud mama to a boys-  6/17/09 - a girl 2/23/11- and a boy 8/20/12

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  • I think it depends on where you're from. It's my mom's maiden name too and we've always pronounced it Gram not Gray-em.
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  • I have never heard Graham pronounced Gray-em. Gray-em crackers?

    Meh.

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  • Every Graham I've ever met (even my friends from England) pronounces it Gram.  I've never heard anyone say Gray-em.
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  • Ditto PPs I've always heard it prn Gram and my ex's last name was Graham as well, but he prn one syllable.
  • https://www.behindthename.com/name/graham

    https://inogolo.com/pronunciation/Graham

     

    That is not technically true, it can properly be pronounced as a two syllable name as you have stated, Gray-em, or as a one syllable name, Gram.  I have personally never met anyone who pronounces it any other way than Gram.  

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  • Feel better? Wink

    I pronounce with a half syllable if that makes sense. Gra'am. Like ma'am. And NO I'm not giving anyone cre8ive spelling ideas!

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  • Hmmm.  Interesting that so many people pronounce it Gram.  Isn't there a name Grahm that would be pronounced that way?

    I've always heard it Gray'm.  Very subtle, but more than one syllable.

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  • I would pronounce it more like Gray-em as well. The 2nd syllable is subtle, but definitely there.

    I see that on all of the baby name meaning/pronunciation sites, though, it recognizes both pronunciations. 

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  • imageschnappycat:
     And if you look it up in name guides, I'm pretty sure it would indicate it is two. 

    In the future, if you'd like to check on something like this before you post it, I recommend www.behindthename.com . It usually has the most complete, reliable etymology in my experience.

     

  • imageEaglefoot23:

    imageschnappycat:
     And if you look it up in name guides, I'm pretty sure it would indicate it is two. 

    In the future, if you'd like to check on something like this before you post it, I recommend www.behindthename.com . It usually has the most complete, reliable etymology in my experience.

     

    I did check a couple of naming sites before posting and they indicated it was two syllables. I didn't know about that site. But I'm still not totally wrong here, and was just trying to help people who are looking for a fool-proof one syllable name. Graham isn't it. 

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  • imageschnappycat:
    Graham isn't it. 

    Except that it is, for people who pronounce it that way. I think the responses made it pretty clear that it's pronounced two different ways and is most likely a regional differentiation. Neither way is the "right" way.

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  • I guess I'm not explaining myself well. If someone is looking for a name that is always one syllable and cannot be questioned (like "Max"), Graham wouldn't be the best solution. Because they may run into people who think it is two syllables. If they are good with that, fine. But regardless of how you might say the name, there will likely be someone who says it differently at some point in the child's life.  

    It's really not a huge deal, so I'll stop now. Just wanted to point it out in case someone cared either way.

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  • I've never heard of it being a 2 syllable name ever. That is weird. My maiden name is Ren? (ren-AY) but when my parents lived in NorthDakota it was pronounced RAY-nee. Just weird!

    Thanks for the info! 

    M/C 04-1999 Missed M/C 04-20-2005 M/C 11-09-2006 DD - Sable Ren
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