Graham (given name)

Graham
Pronunciation/ˈɡreɪəm/
GenderBoth
Language(s)English
Origin
Meaning'gray home', 'gravelly homestead or hamlet'; 'grey-coated one' (i.e. wolf)
Region of originScotland
Other names
Variant form(s)Graeme, Grantham, Grahame
See alsoGraham (surname)
[1]

Graham is a (usually masculine) given name in the English language. It is derived from the surname. The variant form Graeme could be pronounced also /ˈɡreɪm/.[1]

Origins

The surname Graham is an Anglo-French form of the name of the town of Grantham, in Lincolnshire, England.[2] The settlement is recorded in the 11th century Domesday Book variously as Grantham, Grandham, Granham and Graham. This place name is thought to be derived from the Old English elements grand, possibly meaning "gravel", and ham, meaning "hamlet" the English word given to small settlements of smaller size than villages. Alternatively, possibly from Old English græghama "grey-coated one" (ie, wolf).

Variants and use

In the 12th century the surname was taken from England to Scotland by Sir William de Graham, who founded Clan Graham. Variant spellings of the forename are Grahame and Graeme. The forename Graham is considered to be an English and Scottish given name.[3] Its origin as a surname has led to its occasional use as a female given name, as for example in the case of Graham Cockburn, a daughter of Henry Cockburn, Lord Cockburn.

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References

  1. ^ a b Wells, John C. (2008). Longman Pronunciation Dictionary (3rd ed.). Longman. p. 350. ISBN 978-1-4058-8118-0.
  2. ^ "Online Etymology Dictionary". etymonline.com.
  3. ^ Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006), A Dictionary of First Names, Oxford Paperback Reference (2 ed.), Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-861060-2
  • The dictionary definition of Graham at Wiktionary
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