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Baby names

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Original poster

Gray for a boy?

86 replies

AvrilsAtonement · 08/08/2011 15:07

i love it but DH thinks it's too unusual. In fairness I've never met a Gray so that does make it unusual. I don't mind an unusual name so long as it doesn't result in him being hugely made fun of in school.

What do you think?

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glittershoes · 08/08/2011 18:32

I really like it. While I do think of the colour immediately (you'd be hard pushed not to!), I see the colour, and therefore the name, as really strong, bold and shiney. Think like grey steel.

Does the name have a meaning that you know of? Or did the OE name come from the colour?

mathanxiety · 08/08/2011 17:51

I agree with SaffronCake -- it's such a dull and colourless non-colour, one that signifies blankness, blandness and bloodlessness.

Whether it's an old English name or not, the image of the colour 'grey' is what is going to pop up first and foremost in the minds of people who hear it.

If you like the sound of gray, would you like Clay?

LisMcA · 08/08/2011 17:50

The actor who played Tony Gordon in Corrie is Gray O'Brien. I've come across a few here in Scotland, all grown ups though, but I would go for it. To me it doesn't sound like Graham with your surname, but I suppose thats is all to do with accents.

SaffronCake · 08/08/2011 17:43

It's not a dead cert' for misery in the playground, but it's not "safe" in the way that a Jack or Edward would be either. A lot would depend on if he was outgoing and resilliant or, er, a bit grey (pardon the pun).

It is a name identical in sound to a word in the English language used to mean it's going to rain, something is boring and/or depressing, unclear moral minefields and the colour of dead people. I still think if he's a real firecracker of a kid he'll pull it off, but can you be sure he will be?

I think you need to think this through very carefully.

Original poster
AvrilsAtonement · 08/08/2011 16:52

Hello Slambang, Gray is a boy's name of Old English origin. I'm not naming him after my favourite colour.

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Slambang · 08/08/2011 16:34

Are you American or do you think it's cool to use the America spelling instead of the English?

Grey if you must.

Original poster
AvrilsAtonement · 08/08/2011 16:33

I'm wavering a little, but still clinging to the name, can't let go!

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LetThereBeRock · 08/08/2011 16:24

I like it in theory though.I like the way it sounds,rather dignified, if not on an actual person,but I agree that it doesn't work terribly well with your name.

Original poster
AvrilsAtonement · 08/08/2011 16:13

Thanks 33 and LTBR

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LetThereBeRock · 08/08/2011 16:10

I really don't like it. It's such a bland colour that it doesn't work as a name imho.

33goingon64 · 08/08/2011 16:09

I like it.

Original poster
AvrilsAtonement · 08/08/2011 15:57

Good point cleverything:(
Had not realised that

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Cleverything · 08/08/2011 15:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
AvrilsAtonement · 08/08/2011 15:47

Another boy

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newbielisa · 08/08/2011 15:44

Works great with the surname. Other twin a boy or girl?

Original poster
AvrilsAtonement · 08/08/2011 15:41

Thanks cleverything, it's really the sound of Gray I like though, rather than it's meaning.
Thanks Fanny.

Just need to decide on one for the other twin now!

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Cleverything · 08/08/2011 15:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FannyPriceless · 08/08/2011 15:36

I definitely like it. I went out with a Gray prior to meeting DH. I thought he had a nice name.

Cleverything · 08/08/2011 15:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
AvrilsAtonement · 08/08/2011 15:32

Thanks GML!!

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Original poster
AvrilsAtonement · 08/08/2011 15:31

Thanks band withering, so far nobody thinks it's likely to cause embarrassment. Maybe if I suggest Sporticus to husband he'll eagerly accept Gray. . .

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GwendolineMaryLacey · 08/08/2011 15:31

I like it. I shouldn't, it's not my type of name, but I do. Little boy in a book I have was Grayer. I like that too and I shouldn't.

It goes great with your surname.

Bandwithering · 08/08/2011 15:25

Just go with Gray. It's not that bad ykwim... ok, if asked on a name board "what is your opinion on Gray?' I'll dig an opinion out of the bag! but in rl, if I met a Gray, I'd think 'oh that makes a change'. But I wouldn't roll my eyes. It's not like Sporticus Azul Smith

Original poster
AvrilsAtonement · 08/08/2011 15:25

Surname is McNally, what do you think?

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newbielisa · 08/08/2011 15:23

I like it but might be biased as DH is a Graham that I call Gra so am very used to it. Do like Gray though as long as the surname has a strong syllable start.