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HelpBruce or Graham
Tell me what you like/dislike about Bruce and Graham and which you prefer. Thanks!
His middle name will be Mitchell and his twin sister will be Audrey Helena.
His middle name will be Mitchell and his twin sister will be Audrey Helena.
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Graham, definitely. Graham is soft but strong, and very intelligent.
I see from some of the other posts (didn't read them all) that some consider the GRAM pronunciation predominant in the U.S. I don't know - I live in the U.S. and remember being corrected as a child when I said GRAM crackers.
My ex-father-in-law went by Graham, pronounced GRAY-UM, which was his middle name. Graham also is my ex's middle name and our firstborn son's middle name. By the way, these are all U.S. people, and it's GRAY-UM all the way.
I like Bruce in theory, because of its history, but it has a harsh sound to my ears.
Anyway, Graham Boyd sounds a bit better than Bruce Boyd. I'm normally a fan of alliteration, but Bruce Boyd doesn't do much for me.
I see from some of the other posts (didn't read them all) that some consider the GRAM pronunciation predominant in the U.S. I don't know - I live in the U.S. and remember being corrected as a child when I said GRAM crackers.
My ex-father-in-law went by Graham, pronounced GRAY-UM, which was his middle name. Graham also is my ex's middle name and our firstborn son's middle name. By the way, these are all U.S. people, and it's GRAY-UM all the way.
I like Bruce in theory, because of its history, but it has a harsh sound to my ears.
Anyway, Graham Boyd sounds a bit better than Bruce Boyd. I'm normally a fan of alliteration, but Bruce Boyd doesn't do much for me.
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I prefer Bruce Mitchell to Graham Mitchell for two reasons: the final "m" in Graham and the beginning "m" in Mitchell run together, and Bruce packs more of a punch than Graham. I'm definitely fond of Graham, though.
What I love about these two options for a brother to Audrey Helena is that both complement Audrey excellently, though each one illuminates a different dimension of Audrey. Whereas Bruce emphasizes Audrey's retro, down-to-earth, mid-century charm, Graham highlights her modern flair, which is just as becomingly understated as the aforementioned retro charm but a tad breezier.
Does that make any sense? I'm not convinced that it does...
What I love about these two options for a brother to Audrey Helena is that both complement Audrey excellently, though each one illuminates a different dimension of Audrey. Whereas Bruce emphasizes Audrey's retro, down-to-earth, mid-century charm, Graham highlights her modern flair, which is just as becomingly understated as the aforementioned retro charm but a tad breezier.
Does that make any sense? I'm not convinced that it does...
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Definitely Graham. Bruce is too harsh sounding for me. I also think that Graham sounds better with Audrey Helena by far.
Bruce Mitchell has a smoother flow than Graham Mitchell, but I still prefer Graham Mitchell even though the "m" at the end of Graham and the one at the beginning of Mitchell run together.
Bruce Mitchell has a smoother flow than Graham Mitchell, but I still prefer Graham Mitchell even though the "m" at the end of Graham and the one at the beginning of Mitchell run together.
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Bruce: it was my dad's name. I always thought it sounded like a dad name - the way Kevin and Brian do now. But it was never quite as marshmallowy as those. My dad was sarcastic-mouthed and a 50s rebel type in his youth, and that might be why it wasn't marshmallowy - also influenced by characters like Willis and Springsteen. I gave Bruce to my son as a middle name (in honor of my dad, not because I particularly liked it) and now I like it more and more and can see it working as a first name for a boy.
Graham: I say it GRAM. When I was a kid I said Gray-um crackers and learned by observation that I was "incorrect" (everyone else called them gram crackers), so I feel like Gray-um sounds affected (or ignorant, but it could be me who is ignorant, right? haha). Graham sounds very English and homey and tweedy. And surnamey, a little bit. Sort of formal. I knew one Graham growing up (prn GRAM) and he was dorky but smart. I think it's a decent name, but it's nms.
I think Bruce Boyd sounds spunky and capable. Graham Boyd sounds respectable and dignified. I think the biggest difference I perceive is - to put it crudely - Bruce sounds more middle class, Graham sounds yuppie.
Graham: I say it GRAM. When I was a kid I said Gray-um crackers and learned by observation that I was "incorrect" (everyone else called them gram crackers), so I feel like Gray-um sounds affected (or ignorant, but it could be me who is ignorant, right? haha). Graham sounds very English and homey and tweedy. And surnamey, a little bit. Sort of formal. I knew one Graham growing up (prn GRAM) and he was dorky but smart. I think it's a decent name, but it's nms.
I think Bruce Boyd sounds spunky and capable. Graham Boyd sounds respectable and dignified. I think the biggest difference I perceive is - to put it crudely - Bruce sounds more middle class, Graham sounds yuppie.
This message was edited 9/5/2012, 10:35 AM
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Very interesting take - thanks for the perspective. For what it's worth, I like names like Brian and Kevin (can't use either). Add in Lee, Wayne, and Banner and yes, I think you definitely nix the marshmallowy factor.
Graham is my husband's middle name. His parents aren't American born so he pronounces it Gray-um, as I believe does the rest of the English speaking world outside of the USA. I grew up saying Gray-um but I think most here say GRAM. It is surnamey and I'm not sure how I feel about that. Funny enough, Bruce is a more famous surname but I don't get the same feel from it.
You've definitely given me something to think about.
Graham is my husband's middle name. His parents aren't American born so he pronounces it Gray-um, as I believe does the rest of the English speaking world outside of the USA. I grew up saying Gray-um but I think most here say GRAM. It is surnamey and I'm not sure how I feel about that. Funny enough, Bruce is a more famous surname but I don't get the same feel from it.
You've definitely given me something to think about.
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Springsteen, duh!
Should have come to mind, but didn't. Instead, I associated the actor, whom I like, and a mechanical shark.
Should have come to mind, but didn't. Instead, I associated the actor, whom I like, and a mechanical shark.
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Bruce I always disliked and thought was incredibly doofy. But then a year or so ago I magically began liking it. It felt endearing and became less gumpy and more lumberjacky, which I love.
Graham I've always liked. In comparing the two its more polished and suave. I suppose I prefer it to Bruce. I think either would go equally neutrally with Audrey.
Graham I've always liked. In comparing the two its more polished and suave. I suppose I prefer it to Bruce. I think either would go equally neutrally with Audrey.
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I prefer Bruce because it reminds me of Bruce Wayne (Batman!) and I think the nickname Brucie is really cute, however I'm aware some people might have "pet-zoned" it or think it as thuggish. I don't hate Graham but all the ones I have known are over forty, possibly over forty-five so I consider this to be old and slightly dated.
I think Bruce sounds better with the middle name Mitchell however Graham and Audrey sound more likely as siblings than Bruce and Audrey do.
I think Bruce sounds better with the middle name Mitchell however Graham and Audrey sound more likely as siblings than Bruce and Audrey do.
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Bruce and Graham are my neighbours. Bruce is married to Helen and Graham to Sue. They are both like 65 years old. In Australia they're both dated as hell.
I'd go with Graham, because aside of the dated factor for me, Bruce is also kinda ruined by its closeness to 'brute'. I only like the GRAY-əm pronunciation because that's the only one I've ever heard outside of the internet.
Audrey Helena, on the other hand, is completely stunning. :) I think Graham goes best with Audrey.
I'd go with Graham, because aside of the dated factor for me, Bruce is also kinda ruined by its closeness to 'brute'. I only like the GRAY-əm pronunciation because that's the only one I've ever heard outside of the internet.
Audrey Helena, on the other hand, is completely stunning. :) I think Graham goes best with Audrey.
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Dated doesn't bother me. In fact, I abhor trendy names so it's actually a bit of a plus.
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Audrey Helena is lovely! :)
Okay...well, I love Graham and pronounce it "GRAY-um". To me, it's warm and cuddly, friendly and bright, sophisticated and distinctive all at once; I think it ages well. However, it ends in "m" and if meant to be a first name for Mitchell (handsome, by the way), I'm not wild about the flow.
Bruce is alright; never have been particularly drawn to it, though I do like Bruce Willis. The actor and the mechanical shark from "Jaws" are my only real associations with the name. The name, itself, has a much more informal feel to it than either Graham or Audrey, in my opinion. I imagine a Bruce to be active, athletic, bright.
Bruce Mitchell flows better than does Graham Mitchell, but I prefer Graham as a sibling to Audrey.
Okay...well, I love Graham and pronounce it "GRAY-um". To me, it's warm and cuddly, friendly and bright, sophisticated and distinctive all at once; I think it ages well. However, it ends in "m" and if meant to be a first name for Mitchell (handsome, by the way), I'm not wild about the flow.
Bruce is alright; never have been particularly drawn to it, though I do like Bruce Willis. The actor and the mechanical shark from "Jaws" are my only real associations with the name. The name, itself, has a much more informal feel to it than either Graham or Audrey, in my opinion. I imagine a Bruce to be active, athletic, bright.
Bruce Mitchell flows better than does Graham Mitchell, but I prefer Graham as a sibling to Audrey.
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Great, so we pronounce Graham the same. Not a big fan of the "Gram" pronunciation. Never thought about the double Ms with flow, interesting point. Mitchell is my maiden name so that one's not changing. Given that it will be primarily fn LN flow, I'm more worried about Bruce Boyd vs Graham Boyd.
Their big 3yo sister is Morgan Stella. We told her awhile back that her brother's name may be Bruce, and now we're having a hard time getting it out of her head!
Their big 3yo sister is Morgan Stella. We told her awhile back that her brother's name may be Bruce, and now we're having a hard time getting it out of her head!
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I've never heard the pronunciation GRAY-um before. I've only heard GRAM before so the GRAY-um pronunciation seems weird to me. Maybe it will grow on me over night. I'll see tomorrow.
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Well, with Boyd as the surname (I didn't assume that from your posting name.), I vote for Graham Mitchell Boyd. Graham Boyd flows and sounds far better, to my ear, than does Bruce Boyd, not that Bruce Boyd is bad. The slightly sticky "m"-"M" transition isn't difficult to say; just makes me pay attention to my lips and, as you point out, it's his first and last name that will be said most of the time.
Maybe when the twins are born, big sister, Morgan, could have a new male baby doll named Bruce to mother. :)
Maybe when the twins are born, big sister, Morgan, could have a new male baby doll named Bruce to mother. :)
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