Our baby decided to enter this world 6 weeks early. My husband has his heart set on the name [name]Graham[/name] (US pronunciation [name]GRAM[/name]). While I like the name and have pretty much decided on it, I still keep going back to my favorite name I’ve had through the duration of the pregnancy, [name]Asher[/name].
I know several Nameberry members say/predict that [name]Asher[/name] is trendy and will continue to rise in popularity. A recent post I read asked for advice if [name]Asher[/name] was suited for a girl. The responses to that post made me leery that [name]Asher[/name] could potentially become unisex similar to the names [name]Rowan[/name], [name]Quinn[/name], or [name]Riley[/name].
I guess I am seeking last minute advice, opinions, and insight on which name is best suited for him with our LN [name]Burke[/name].
[name]Do[/name] you prefer [name]Graham[/name] [name]Burke[/name] or [name]Asher[/name] [name]Burke[/name]?
[name]Graham[/name] [name]Burke[/name] is a little abrupt with the US pronunciation.
[name]Asher[/name] [name]Burke[/name] would be my pick.
If you used the [name]Graham[/name] pronunciation with two syllables, [name]Graham[/name] [name]Burke[/name] would be my pick. I love [name]Graham[/name] more than [name]Asher[/name], but not pronounced [name]GRAM[/name].
[name]Graham[/name] is such a handsome name. I see your concern about [name]Asher[/name] sounding trendy. I think [name]Graham[/name] [name]Burke[/name] is perfect.
Why not [name]Graham[/name] [name]Asher[/name] [name]Burke[/name]?
That way you both get your favorite picks and it will allow you to call him [name]Asher[/name] if you wanted to yet as a mn you won’t have to worry too much about it’s rising popularity.
(FYI: I prefer the [name]GRAY-əm[/name] prn over [name]Gram[/name].)
I think [name]Graham[/name] [name]Burke[/name] is lovely, but they both work well! But since the little man is here, I would look to him for help on deciding his name. Does he seem like more of a [name]Graham[/name] or an [name]Asher[/name]?
I find that [name]Graham[/name] [name]Burke[/name] sounds really nice together. I think I posted in the past and said that [name]Asher[/name] sounded very feminine. It still sounds like a girl’s name to me. I could also picture it as a dog name.
I like both [name]Asher[/name] and [name]Graham[/name] (and I prefer the “[name]Gram[/name]” pronunciation.) I don’t love [name]Asher[/name] [name]Burke[/name] b/c of the repeating “er” sound, while [name]Graham[/name] [name]Burke[/name] does sound a little abrupt (if you want to get nit-picky.) But really, either first name is great, so you should go with whichever feels best! I don’t see [name]Asher[/name] getting ridiculously popular.
I like the idea of [name]Graham[/name] [name]Asher[/name] [name]Burke[/name] too… and I prefer the “[name]Gram[/name]” pronunciation, mostly because that’s the one I’m most familiar with. Did you have another mn picked out previously? I think this order of names works better than [name]Asher[/name] [name]Graham[/name] [name]Burke[/name].
First of all, your post isn’t neurotic at all! My babies arrived early too and I wasn’t convinced of one their names (twin boys). My advice isn’t on your choice of name but to take the naming process slowly if you’re not sure. It needs to feel right… I don’t know about the States but in the UK we have 6 weeks to register our babies and I took over 3 (considered a long time here!). I played around with a few names for a couple of weeks until one just started to feel more ‘right’ than the others. Good luck and congratulations!!! minty x
Have you made a decision yet? I’m quite partial to [name]Asher[/name] (as you can see in my signature!), and even though I think it’s gaining in popularity and is “trendy” for now, I don’t see it as the bad kind of trendy, like [name]Nevaeh[/name] or [name]Jayden[/name]. It’s a solid, handsome Biblical name with tons of history and a great meaning. I really don’t think you can go wrong with [name]Asher[/name], and [name]Asher[/name] [name]Burke[/name] sounds great!
Does he “look” more like one name than the other? I’ve heard some people say their child does, and others say that their child doesn’t. Maybe if he seems to suit one name more than the other, that could help provide some clarity.
The only other suggestion I have would be to do what my parents did, lol. They were torn between [name]Ashley[/name], [name]Alexandra[/name], and [name]Jennifer[/name], and tried calling me each one, and I bawled for [name]Jennifer[/name], whimpered for [name]Alexandra[/name], but was happy as a clam for [name]Ashley[/name], so that’s what I was. Who knows if it’ll help you or not, but I always have a fun story to tell about my name.
I’m sorry, what is the other way to pronounce [name]Graham[/name] besides [name]Gram[/name]?
Clearly, I’m from the US…
I like [name]Graham[/name] better than [name]Asher[/name]. I can see what others are saying about the full name being short, but I think the minimum amount of syllables is kind of manly…
Thank you to everyone for all your helpful and kind responses! I understand that [name]Graham[/name] [name]Burke[/name] is more abrupt than some names, but I have decided to name him [name]Graham[/name]. I do adore the name [name]Asher[/name] and love eveyone 's suggestions of using it in the MN spot. I am torn between [name]Graham[/name] [name]Asher[/name] or [name]Graham[/name] [name]Thomas[/name]. I realize you really do not say your full name too often…so the middle name is almost personal preference.
[name]Ashley[/name]: Thank you for the suggestion of trying to call him each name…(what a sweet birth story you have) . Unfortunately I am unable to hold him at this point. He is still under the oxygen bubble to help aid him with his breathing. I did observe him with his eyes open briefly. I asked our daughter, [name]Sloane[/name], what we should name him and she replied, “[name]Graham[/name].” I think that moment solidified my decision.
[name]Tressa[/name]: Apparently most places outside the US ([name]Canada[/name], [name]Scotland[/name], UK, Australia)…and probably many other places pronounce [name]Graham[/name] with two syllables…from what I understand, something close to /[name]GRAY[/name]-UM/…I am uncertain if the alternate spelling [name]GRAEME[/name] is pronounced the same way as well.
As far as middle names go, [name]Graham[/name] [name]Asher[/name] [name]Burke[/name] would create the initials [name]GAB[/name]… not a bad thing really, but something to consider, I guess. [name]Graham[/name] [name]Thomas[/name] wouldn’t spell anything -unless GTB is a common abbreviation for something in your area.
[name]Asher[/name] has the advantage of a great meaning; “happy, blessed” whereas [name]Thomas[/name] means “twin”.
These facts don’t rule out either name imo, but it’s something to move the thought process along, hopefully, rather than stall it again. I’m still a fan of [name]Graham[/name] [name]Asher[/name] [name]Burke[/name].
Incidentally, I live in [name]Canada[/name] and would pronounce his name [name]GRAM[/name]… although I have heard others pronounce it Gra + ham here too.
[name]Gram[/name] is TERRIBLE pronunciation. [name]Do[/name] people really say [name]Graham[/name] like that? That’s a real shame and almost embarrassing. I’m literally in shock. [name]GRAM[/name]? [name]GRAM[/name]?!
[name]Graham[/name] is a [name]LOVELY[/name] name but only if it is pronounced properly. If it is between [name]Gram[/name] or [name]Asher[/name] I would have to say [name]Asher[/name].
@thebeljaflor what an awful thing to say after someone has decided on naming their child [name]Graham[/name]. [name]Shame[/name] on you.
I know I already suggested [name]Graham[/name] [name]Asher[/name] [name]Burke[/name] in a pp and would still endorse that, but [name]Thomas[/name] is such a beautiful and stable name that I can see it’s appeal and understand why you would be torn. I’m from a two mn family so I’d go with [name]Graham[/name] [name]Asher[/name] [name]Thomas[/name] [name]Burke[/name] but realize two mn’s isn’t everyones choice. (The initials GAT-B sort of remind me of [name]Gatsby[/name] - as in “the Great…” which I’d find amusing and also could be a cool nn provided you liked the book).
