historic surname as first name?

kerriam26

DH's family history can be traced back to the Revolutionary War where the famous Battle of Bunker Hill was actually fought on his family's namesake land, Breed's Hill. Their last name Breed died off as a surname on his family tree with DH's grandmother when she married, naturally, a non-Breed. To keep the name in the family, DH's parents made it DH's middle name. He is Christopher Breed (last name). My question to you all is what are your thoughts on making Breed our baby's first name? It sounds good with our last name and DH was actually called Breed a lot as a kid to differentiate him from other Christopher's in his classes. But it's definitely not a first name you hear... probably ever.

So I'd love to hear what you all think... okay as a first name? Or should we keep it as baby's middle name?

catwine

I think it would be okay.  we wanted to give a future son one of the surnames from my husband's family as a first name but they could be shortened to awful names.  In our case we chose to give  a future son one of the chosen names as a middle name instead.  But if it works for you and is important, I say go for it.

parenthood4

In theory, I like the idea. But in reality I don't think I would name my child Breed, because of the meaning as PP said.

I would middle name it again

nurse714

Middle name it

littlecookie

No, not with Breed, sorry. I'm planning to use a family surname, but we're using it as a middle name.

kerriam26

Wow, I wasn't expecting such...should I say passionate?... feedback. 

I personally don't think you should be so focused on the meaning of the word as a verb. It's a name, not a verb, with meaning that is part of this country's history. I guess I don't care what other's will think of it's meaning as a verb (I mean, who would even spend the time to look that up?) if they know it's part of our family history? 

Anyway, thanks all for the feedback!

TweedleDee3

Very few people know my family history just by me telling them my first name and the majority of people I wouldn't have time to explain nor want to explain my first name to. I love the idea of incorporating a family name, but this one does not bode well at all in the first name spot. Using it as a middle name would be a great way to honor it.

this decaf life

I don't like it as a FN but it's fine as a MN.

nittanyllama

Another vote for don't do it. PLEASE don't do it.

harmonicbabe26

I would def keep it as a middle name. Just doesn't sound like good First Name material..

strawberrytree

So you think nobody will know the meaning of the word breed without looking it up, but everyone will automatically associate it with a Revolutionary War battle?? Girl, you need to spend some time in middle school.

Eta: Not just middle school- I am an adult, educated female and history buff and if I saw Breed as a first name my first thought is not "That's right, the Battle of Bunker Hill was actually fought on Breed's Hill! Must be a family name and/or parents are history buffs!" It's "Hehe, I guess his parents had so much fun making him they decided to name him after the act...awkward."

shannm

No, keep it in the middle.

shannm

kerriam26 said:

Wow, I wasn't expecting such...should I say passionate?... feedback. 

I personally don't think you should be so focused on the meaning of the word as a verb. It's a name, not a verb, with meaning that is part of this country's history. I guess I don't care what other's will think of it's meaning as a verb (I mean, who would even spend the time to look that up?) if they know it's part of our family history? 

Anyway, thanks all for the feedback!

You actually think people would need to look up the meaning of breed???

4N6s

Middle name.... Reed is a great alternative.

queenbone

I would keep it as a MN. I'm not a fan of verbs as names, and there are sure to be breeding jokes in his future.

kerriam26

As I said in my original post, DH was called Breed all throughout growing up and never had a problem with it. Never made fun of for it. If people questioned it he just explained the meaning and most people replied with "wow, that's pretty cool."

But, I hear you all LOUD and CLEAR! We won't be using it. Thank you all for your feedback. No need for further comments as my question has been answered.

queenbone

kerriam26 said:

As I said in my original post, DH was called Breed all throughout growing up and never had a problem with it. Never made fun of for it. If people questioned it he just explained the meaning and most people replied with "wow, that's pretty cool."

But, I hear you all LOUD and CLEAR! We won't be using it. Thank you all for your feedback. No need for further comments as my question has been answered.

But the difference here is that it was his MN that his intimate friends used. He didn't have to use it in a professional setting or ordering coffee, etc. He had another option. Breed is perfectly fine in the MN spot to honor family.

BlueRidge8

I can't believe this was a thing that needed to be asked.

AZMommy1234

That is just cruel. And lol at people having to look it up! I don't think so.

Just because no one ever made fun of your husband, does not necessarily mean the same will be true for your child.

I will disagree with some of the others in that I think it is fine to keep it as a mn

Irishcurls

I like to reply when specifically told not to. 

Alygohome

Reed is ok breed is terrible.

BunnyBerry

Normally I would think that would be an awesome heritage for a fn, but couldn't consider naming a son "breed" due to its meaning as a verb.