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Graham

♂ Boy

Pronounced GRAY-am /ˈɡreɪ.əm/High

Meaning: From a Scottish place name meaning 'gravelly homestead' — from Old English <em>grǣg</em> (grey) and <em>hām</em> (home, village)High

In 30 seconds: A distinguished Scottish surname-turned-first-name meaning 'gravelly homestead,' Graham carries effortless British sophistication. Used by the Clan Graham since medieval times, it has become a well-regarded first name in the Anglophone world.
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Origin HighScottish, English
MeaningFrom a Scottish place name meaning 'gravelly homestead' — from Old English <em>grǣg</em> (grey) and <em>hām</em> (home, village)
Peak year2015
Total births (all-time)≈ 41,904

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201518812017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Graham is an anglicization of the Scottish place name Grantham or Graeme in Lincolnshire, England, believed to derive from Old English grǣg (grey) and hām (home, estate), meaning 'grey homestead' or 'gravelly home.' The surname came to Scotland with Norman settlers in the 12th century.

As a given name, Graham was adopted from the surname, as is common with Scottish names. It has been used in Britain since the 19th century and spread to North America and Australia. It is associated with figures like inventor Alexander Graham Bell and TV host Graham Norton. In the U.S., Graham has been rising as a sophisticated, literary-feeling choice.

Did you know? The Clan Graham traces its origins to William de Graham, a 12th-century Norman knight who received lands in Scotland from King David I — the surname has been prominent in Scottish history ever since.

Variations

GraemeGram

Nicknames

GrayGram

Famous Bearers

  • ★Alexander Graham Bell (1847–1922)
    Scottish-American inventor credited with inventing the telephone.

If you like Graham…

Grant— similarly crisp Scottish-origin one-syllable surname name
Callum— Scottish classic with the same sophisticated, understated quality
Blake— equally stylish surname-as-first-name with a similar Anglo feel

Frequently Asked

What does the name Graham mean?

Graham comes from an Old English place name meaning 'grey homestead' or 'gravelly home,' brought to Scotland by Norman settlers.

How do you pronounce Graham?

Graham is pronounced GRAY-am /ˈɡreɪ.əm/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Graham a boy or girl name?

Graham is predominantly used as a boy's name.

How popular is Graham?

Graham has been rising steadily in the U.S., entering the top 150 boys' names in the 2010s as surname-style names became fashionable.