We have a little girl named [name_f]Grace[/name_f] (we call her [name_f]Gracie[/name_f]) and we are expecting our second in a few weeks. We don’t know if we are having a boy or girl… but our top boy name right now is [name_m]Graham[/name_m]. [name_m]Just[/name_m] wondering thoughts on whether [name_f]Grace[/name_f] and [name_m]Graham[/name_m] sound too matchy matchy.
For me, [name_f]Grace[/name_f] and [name_m]Graham[/name_m] are a little too matchy, but if you love [name_m]Graham[/name_m] I think it works fine.
My personal guideline is that if you have to ask if it’s too close, it’s too close. [name_f]Grace[/name_f]/[name_f]Gracie[/name_f] and [name_m]Graham[/name_m] share the first 3 letters and have the same general feel, so I think they’re too close. I notice a lot with parents expecting a second (or third…) that they’re often drawn to names that sound like their first’s name either because they generally like the sound or they have developed positive associations to those sounds. But I think each child should have a name clearly separate from siblings.
Here are some names that are similar to [name_m]Graham[/name_m] but distinct from [name_f]Gracie[/name_f]:
[name_m]Adam[/name_m]
[name_m]Bennett[/name_m]
[name_m]Callum[/name_m]
[name_m]Clark[/name_m]
[name_m]Cormac[/name_m]
[name_m]Ezra[/name_m]
[name_u]Finn[/name_u]
[name_m]Heath[/name_m]
[name_m]Hugh[/name_m]
[name_m]Jack[/name_m]
[name_m]Joel[/name_m]
[name_u]Jude[/name_u]
[name_m]Knox[/name_m]
[name_m]Liam[/name_m]
[name_m]Luke[/name_m]
[name_m]Maxim[/name_m]
[name_m]Nash[/name_m]
[name_u]Owen[/name_u]
[name_u]Quinn[/name_u]
[name_u]Reid[/name_u]
[name_u]Rhys[/name_u]
[name_u]Seth[/name_u]
[name_m]Teague[/name_m]
[name_u]Theo[/name_u]
I don’t think so, as for me [name_f]Grace[/name_f] and [name_m]Graham[/name_m] have a different style. Go with your gut instinct though - if they’re too close for you, then don’t use it.
You may find yourself in a bit of a situation if you ever decide on a third baby, but to be quite honest I think [name_f]Grace[/name_f] and [name_m]Graham[/name_m] aren’t that matchy when not written. [name_f]Grace[/name_f] has the “gray” sound and [name_m]Graham[/name_m] obviously rhymes with [name_m]Brahm[/name_m] (there you go, a name you might like, after the composer, [name_m]Brahms[/name_m], of the world’s most famous lullaby!)… so when spoken, no I don’t think they are too similar to the point where it’s confusing or silly (like [name_m]Ron[/name_m] and [name_m]Jon[/name_m] or [name_u]Kit[/name_u] and [name_f]Kat[/name_f]).
I agree with the second poster. If you have to ask if it’s too matchy, it obviously means you have some doubts. These won’t just fade with time, and people are likely to ask, or at least look funny. If you aren’t ready to defend your choice to the death, I wouldn’t go with it. Your kids probably wouldn’t like being so similar in the future either.
If you don’t actually mind at all, you wouldn’t have asked. So I say try find something else.
[name_f]Gracie[/name_f] and [name_m]Graham[/name_m] are similar. But I’m in the “who cares” camp. Personally I think they sound really cute together.
they sound a bit too similar for me, but they’re not my children.
It’s like having kids [name_u]Harper[/name_u] and [name_f]Harlow[/name_f], [name_m]Adam[/name_m] and [name_f]Adaline[/name_f] or [name_m]Isaac[/name_m] and [name_f]Isabella[/name_f].
What if you have a third? It’s something to keep in mind personally. Would [name_f]Gracie[/name_f] and [name_m]Graham[/name_m] have a brother [name_m]David[/name_m], or a sister [name_f]Gradie[/name_f]? I had a look and it was a little hard to find more Gra names.
Ultimately it’s up to you and your partner if you want to go down the matchy root
[name_f]Grace[/name_f] and [name_m]Graham[/name_m] are definitely too matchy for my taste. If you really love it, I’d say go for it, but be prepared to get a lot of reactions on how similar they are. If you’re having some doubts, I’d look for another option. [name_m]Graham[/name_m] is a lovely name, but with [name_f]Grace[/name_f] it just doesn’t feel right, at least not to me.
They are similar but I do not think too similar. If you were questioning about [name_u]Gray[/name_u] and [name_f]Grace[/name_f], they are too close in my opinion. I think the general population wouldn’t bat an eye at [name_f]Grace[/name_f] and [name_m]Graham[/name_m].
I don’t see how they are that similar. They share the first 3 letters but the sound and style are completely different
They are too matchy for my taste
I am guessing you may have made your decision by now but just to add my 2 cents, I think PP who raises the point of Gra… beginnings and the attractiveness because of similarity is very insightful (if not actually correct in your own particular instance).
[name_f]Grace[/name_f] is a glorious name and to give it its full value, I would choose a complete contrast. The further siblings query is also worth thought [name_f]IMO[/name_f].
Someone mentioned [name_u]Gray[/name_u] and [name_f]Grace[/name_f] as too close perhaps, and my 1st thought was any Grahams/Graemes I know are often shortened to [name_u]Gray[/name_u].
Whatever you chose you have done with full awareness and thought. The 2 names may be ideal for your family. Very best wishes with your decision