Is this too surnamey...?

[chummymummy7]

DC2 is due on Saturday and we're still stumped for a boys name. Frontrunner is Grayson, prob with nn Gray, which I like - but is Grayson strong or just a bit too surname-y?

I think it sounds pretty good with our surname, which rhymes with Mays. If you think not - can you suggest any good alternatives? To give an idea, we also like Daniel, Stanley and quite like Nathaniel (esp nn Nate).

We quite like unusual names if they feel right ie. are going for Indigo if it's a girl (and don't tell me not to!)

I personally find Grayson nicer ane more interesting (less overused) than Daniel, Stanley and Nathaniel. Also love Indigo for a girl. I actually know a little Indie (although she may be Indiana).

Make sure you don't go for Lawrence as a middle name

I thought of Larry immediately :)

I do like Grayson, though. Especially with the nickname "Gray"

I don't think there's anything wrong with Grayson and I'm sure Grayson Mays sounds like fine but Gray Mays? It doesn't sound right. If your surname begins with a H as I suspect it might, 'grey haze' sounds like a weatherman's fancy euphemism for fog. (I fear Nate Mays might suffer from the same problem - too much repetition of similar sounds.)

I am a bit worried that Gray/Grayson will blend in too well with all the Graces in your son's school. I don't like unisex names much and, as I've heard of Gracen/Grayson being used for girls too, it puts me off.

If you love the name, go ahead and use it - that's the most important thing. While it's not to my own tastes, it's a decent choice. Just be sure you're happy with the nickname-surname thing.

Sorry, I meant 'sounds fine' not 'sounds like fine'.

I love the name Grayson but as the PP said if it gets shortened to 'Gray' and your surname rhymes with Gray, it will sound a bit odd I think.

I am not a huge fan as I think the connotation of gray/grey/blue etc... as being unhappy plus I agree if Gray rhymes with your surname it may sound strange?

What's the Larry/Lawrence association? [feels culturally unaware]

Good points about the nickname/surname flow - I don't think it bothers me too much as I don't imagine a nn and surname combination coming up together very often. Will ponder on it though.

Oops how could I have forgotten Larry Grayson! I only thought of the artist Grayson Perry - how very highbrow of me.

If you decide against Grayson, avoid his sound-a-likes, Jason and Mason.

If you fancy using a surname name, you might like:
Alcott 'Mays'
Archer 'Mays'
Beckett 'Mays'
Carson 'Mays'
Foster 'Mays'
Griffin 'Mays'
Logan 'Mays'
Porter 'Mays'

You seem to like short names - Gray and Tate - so you might like:
Aaron 'Mays'
Adam 'Mays'
Eli 'Mays'
Cole 'Mays'
Hugo 'Mays'
Milo 'Mays
Owen 'Mays'
Zane 'Mays'

If you want a short surname name then you'll probably like Blake 'Mays' or Reed 'Mays'.

Maybe another colour-type name would work - Ash 'Mays' (Asher might be a better choice), Roan 'Mays' (or Rowan) or Sterling 'Mays'.

Names I think are similar in style to Daniel, Stanley and Nathaniel (i.e. Biblical or traditional with easy nicknames or short enough not to need one):
Andrew 'Mays'
Arthur 'Mays'
Christian 'Mays'
Christopher 'Mays'
Edmund 'Mays' or Edward 'Mays'
Eli 'Mays'
Jacob 'Mays'
Joel 'Mays'
Jonah 'Mays'
Julian 'Mays'
Louis 'Mays'
Luke 'Mays'
Peter 'Mays'
Sidney 'Mays'
Theodore 'Mays'
Timothy 'Mays'
Victor 'Mays'
Caleb 'Mays'
Benjamin 'Mays'
John 'Mays'
Joseph 'Mays'
Josiah 'Mays'
Simon 'Mays'
Simeon 'Mays'
Seth 'Mays'
Tobiah 'Mays'
Micah 'Mays'
Matthew 'Mays'
Asa 'Mays'
Amos 'Mays'
Ezra 'Mays'
Gideon 'Mays'
Malachi 'Mays'
Reuben 'Mays'
Isaac 'Mays'
Phineas 'Mays'

I really like Grayson, and NN Gray - not a huge issue, but be prepared for people to spell it Greyson and Grey like I just did and had to delete when I re-read your OP

I love Gray but not as keen on Grayson - could you go with just Gray?

Also love Nathaniel / Nathan which you mentioned - love Nate and Nath!

Other surname type names I like include:
Jackson
Jamieson
Carter
Wilson

Littlecherub - I think the rhyming with the surname issue will be too much if we go with Gray. Also, I do like the 'strength' of Grayson.

Thanks stellan for that very comprehensive list. Does anyone know any little Griffins? Pretty cool name.

I don't like it at all.And it doesn't work with your surname.

I don't like surnames as first names. I do like Nathaniel and Daniel though.

Please not Stanley

I think of Harry Enfield - Grayson and Mr. Cholmondley-Warner, anyone?! It is too surnamey for my liking - I much prefer Daniel, Stanley and Nathaniel. (Especially Stanley!)

What about Graydon? Very similar, can still be shortened to Gray, less surnamey maybe?

Gray gets autocorrected to Gary in my iPad, which probably tells you all you need to know.

Griff is an underused name.

Thanks for the (mostly) constructive comments. Err - having a bad day Uncanny Valley?!

If you love Grayson, use it :) Great name.
Do not go for Graydon... Just IMO of course... Sounds like another Jayden Brayden Kayden... Etc (I've probably mixed up those spellings but sounds the same!)

I love Gray - why not Graeme or Graham - Grayson is very surname-y, but it is still a nice name - I love Gray. I love Nathaniel as well, but best friend has baggsied! Most of Stellan's names were great too. I second the 'not Stanley' plea.

Lol you have similar taste to me.
I really like Grayson - never heard it before, it is surname ish but that personally doesn't bother me! My fav name at the mo is Mason which is pretty similar & is also a surname but hey who cares!

Love indigo for a girl, if I was having a girl was thinking of calling her India.

Good lick for Saturday (or whenever he/she makes an appearance)

Xx

I like the multi cultural religious connections of Daniel. Not much of grayson as it makes me think perry and I am not a fan.
Nathaniel is a mouthful nathan I like and also Neil.

Oh, hadn't thought of those Graydon connotations. Was thinking of Graydon Carter, editor of Vanity Fair.