My H and I decided we are naming our son [name_m]Graham[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u]. The issue lies in the fact that we found out little [name_m]Graham[/name_m] has Down Syndrome. I have been learning a lot about the issues that go along with that, and am really worried that he might never be able to say his name. He is likely to have a speech impediment, and I just don’t know if the “gr” is something he will be able to say, and won’t know until he’s much older and has gone through years of speech therapy.
So what do you think? Would you let this influence your decision? It’s hard because I already associate him with this name and love it, but I hate to think I’m potentially saddling my one-day adult with a name he can’t say. No guarantees either way. My little Gwam.
I think if you love [name_m]Graham[/name_m] , use it. It’s a great name combo, and your little [name_m]Graham[/name_m] may not have any trouble at all.
I think it’s great that you’re thinking ahead and if I were in your shoes I would contact a speech therapist to talk about sounds to avoid. I know that a woman who frequented Nameberry had a speech pathology background. I always looked forward to her comments, but can’t recall her user name! Anyhow maybe she will see this & have some feedback for you. If not, I’m sure you can contact someone local to you or perhaps a therapist in your older child’s school? [name_m]Graham[/name_m] is great. I would consider [name_m]Bram[/name_m], [name_m]Clive[/name_m], [name_m]Clark[/name_m], [name_m]Rocco[/name_m], [name_m]Rock[/name_m], [name_m]Hugh[/name_m], [name_m]Duncan[/name_m], [name_m]Oliver[/name_m], [name_m]Abram[/name_m], [name_m]Abe[/name_m], [name_m]Griffin[/name_m], [name_m]Simon[/name_m], [name_m]Silas[/name_m], [name_m]Cyrus[/name_m], [name_m]Garrett[/name_m], [name_m]Miles[/name_m], [name_u]Dean[/name_u], [name_u]Reed[/name_u], [name_u]Sawyer[/name_u], [name_u]Neal[/name_u], [name_m]Nolan[/name_m], [name_m]Liam[/name_m], [name_m]Landon[/name_m], [name_m]Luke[/name_m], [name_m]Brooks[/name_m], [name_u]Sam[/name_u], [name_u]Van[/name_u], [name_m]Wyatt[/name_m], [name_m]Levi[/name_m], [name_u]Elliot[/name_u], [name_m]Elijah[/name_m], [name_u]Elias[/name_u], [name_m]Ezra[/name_m], [name_u]Owen[/name_u]…I have no idea if these names I pronunciation issues really. [name_m]Just[/name_m] some names that I like in the same way I like [name_m]Graham[/name_m]! Good luck!
Her name is @jesba. I remember, because I love her comments, too! She’s fab. It seems like she posts a lot less frequently, though. I have seen her occasionally, but not for several weeks now. About a year or two ago she posted very frequently, but I haven’t seen her for a while.
I know a little boy (approximately age 10, I think?) who has Downs. He goes to my church, and his mom teaches the nursery-aged class. I play the piano for her class occasionally, so I get to sit in and watch the kids… I feel like he would say Gwam. I think the whole “w” for “r” thing is cute, but it may not be so cute when he’s 20. I agree that it’s a great idea to talk to a speech therapist about it. [name_f]Mae[/name_f] and [name_m]Graham[/name_m] are adorable, I agree, and [name_m]Graham[/name_m]'s so handsome in general! I wish you all the best. I can’t really offer any help here, I’m afraid, but I’m hoping someone else will!
I think it’s a great idea to talk to a speech therapist or two! You could also find a playgroup for kids with Downs and ask the kids what they think, if they’d mind saying their own names differently than others say it.
First of all, congratulations! [name_m]Graham[/name_m] is going to be one lucky little boy to have parents who are already taking such time to consider important decisions.
I think that [name_m]Graham[/name_m] is a wonderful name! Goes great with [name_f]Mae[/name_f] too! I think it’s not a bad idea to get someone’s opinion (speech therapist) on the choice, but pronounciation may defer child to child. I’m sure if he struggles that school and therapy and you, his parents can work on it. It sounds like this is the perfect name for him because you love and already know him as [name_m]Graham[/name_m].
[name_m]Graham[/name_m] is a such a gorgeous name, but you won’t be there forever to tell people what his name is. At some point he will be an adult and it might be frustrating for him that people don’t understand when he tries to say his name. A lot of people might just call him Gwam because that is what they thought he said. I think even a typical child would be older before being able to pronounce the name correctly. If I were in your shoes, I would find a solid, easily pronounced and common name for him. I bet there is one out there that you could love nearly as much. Parents change their child’s name even after the birth of their child, so I don’t think it would be hard to change his name before he is born. Good [name_m]Luck[/name_m] with your decision!
[name_u]James[/name_u] [name_m]Graham[/name_m] would solve the problem, and is adorable.
What a thoughtful and considerate parent you are, OP. I agree that it may be a safer bet to go with a name that he won’t be as likely to struggle with, especially as he becomes an adult. (It’s adorable to hear a little boy say, “Gwam,” but I too would worry about how he’d feel when he’s grown and continues to pronounce his own name differently.)
[name_f]Do[/name_f] you have a list of other favorites you might be willing to choose from?
What about a name like [name_m]Abraham[/name_m]? Very similar to [name_m]Graham[/name_m] but if he has a hard time with the r sounds he could always go by [name_m]Abe[/name_m].
Or even [name_m]Samuel[/name_m] nn [name_u]Sam[/name_u] would likely be easier to say.
Ugh, I just typed a long response and then actually deleted it. My nephew has Downs and has difficulties with his r sounds. My son’s name is [name_m]Bram[/name_m] and he pronounces it more like Bwam. He gave my son the special nickname Bam since it is easier for him to pronounce and the nickname has stuck for my son (and is quite fitting as my son is a whirlwind of destruction). I don’t know if difficulties with r sound pronunciation is typical for children with Downs, but it would be worth asking a professional. [name_m]Graham[/name_m] is a lovely name, but if you are really worried about pronunciation hardships maybe finding a one syllable name without a r is worth looking into. [name_u]James[/name_u] [name_m]Graham[/name_m] is also a lovely name. My nephew’s name is [name_u]Jude[/name_u] and he is able to pronounce it easily for what it is worth.
Thank you everyone for the thought out responses! You all hit my worry on the head exactly - it has to do with his adult pronunciation. We spent a lot of time bonding with him because he also has a bad congenital heart defect, which we discovered prior to the DS diagnosis. We used the name to bond, so now it’s hard to let go of that. I do like [name_u]James[/name_u] [name_m]Graham[/name_m]. I actually prefer a name where the middle is longer than the first, so it flows better for me.
I was also considering [name_m]John[/name_m], [name_m]Gregor[/name_m] (same issue), [name_m]Daniel[/name_m] and [name_m]Leif[/name_m] prior to the diagnosis, but none seem to fit him anymore.
