What Does the Name Graham Mean?
Graham is a boy's name of English/Scottish origin meaning “gravelly homestead (Grantham).”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Graham |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | English/Scottish |
| Meaning | gravelly homestead (Grantham) |
| Variants | Grahame, Graeme, Gram |
| Popularity | A long-standing English-speaking favorite that holds a steady place in the US top 200. |
The meaning and origin of Graham
The name Graham means “gravelly homestead (Grantham)” and has English/Scottish origins. Graham is a Scottish surname derived from the English place name Grantham, meaning 'gravelly homestead' (or 'Granta's homestead') in Old English. It was brought to Scotland in the 12th century and became a prominent clan name.
Variants and related names
Graham is related to several other names you may recognize: Grahame, Graeme, Gram. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Graham?
A long-standing English-speaking favorite that holds a steady place in the US top 200.
Popularity matters when you need believable test data: a name that fits the era or region you are modeling makes a generated profile look real. You can generate a complete fictional profile using the name Graham below.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Graham mean?+
The name Graham means “gravelly homestead (Grantham)” and is of English/Scottish origin.
What is the origin of the name Graham?+
Graham originates from English/Scottish.
Is Graham a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Graham has trended in the US over time.
Graham by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press