This character is 25ish so that makes him born in the late 80’s. I don’t think [name]Shepherd[/name] was too common in the 80’s, but [name]Shepherd[/name] could be the character’s mother’s maiden name or something.
I like [name]Luke[/name] [name]Grady[/name]- it sounds sort of like someone you already know.
I also like [name]Caleb[/name] [name]Grady[/name] nn [name]Cal[/name] or [name]Cale[/name].
I’m not sure that I like [name]Graydon[/name] as a last name. I think it’s the R sounds & the D sounds…it doesn’t flow. As someone else said, [name]Shepherd[/name] McNamara sounds really good. Or since [name]Shepherd[/name] is such a unique name for the late 80’s, maybe his last name should be something simpler & common. That way, ‘[name]Shep[/name]’ really stands out as a nickname.
[name]Shepherd[/name] [name]Jones[/name]
[name]Shepherd[/name] [name]Williams[/name]
[name]Shepherd[/name] [name]Wilson[/name]
[name]Shepherd[/name] [name]Harris[/name]
[name]Shepherd[/name] [name]Martin[/name]
[name]Shepherd[/name] [name]Clark[/name]
[name]Shepherd[/name] [name]King[/name] (in school, his nn was ‘[name]King[/name] [name]Shep[/name]’)
[name]Shepherd[/name] [name]Roberts[/name]
[name]Shepherd[/name] [name]Evans[/name]
I see what you mean about the more common surnames. I really like [name]Shepherd[/name] McNamara. I think I need to sit this character aside for a week or so and maybe when I come back to him, his name will jump out at me. I am totally feeling [name]Luke[/name] Grandy, [name]Curtis[/name] McNamara, and [name]Shepherd[/name] McNamara.
[name]Curtis[/name] McNamara really flows well and sounds like a character from a movie or book. That one is my fave! I think [name]Gavin[/name] fits for the character as well, but doesn’t go with McNamara as well as [name]Curtis[/name] does. Maybe [name]Gavin[/name] [name]Shepherd[/name]?
HTH