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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.

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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.

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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