last names as first names

happilyever888

After hanging out here a while, I realize that this board hates a few very specific name "trends"...aidan names, boys names on girls, "y"s in place of "i"s, McK names, etc...but last names as first names? I don't get it. Didn't Andrew, Michael, James, Jackson, Riley, Thomas, etc. etc. all come from last names? What's the difference between those and Sullivan or Payton? Someone explain the hatred for me. Just curious.

mrsb_IN

I like some last names as first names, especially when they have some sort of family connection. My favorites right now are Sullivan and Crosby.

hollyberry3333

I don't mind this trend at all, of course I am biased. I have a Bennett, it is a family name, but I still like a lot of the last names as first names anyway. I believe that most names were a last name at some point in history ( I could be wrong though)

My last name is a common first name so...

mrsb_IN

hollyberry3333:

I don't mind this trend at all, of course I am biased. I have a Bennett, it is a family name, but I still like a lot of the last names as first names anyway. I believe that most names were a last name at some point in history ( I could be wrong though)

My last name is a common first name so...

 

I've learned from going back through my genealogy that it was common for your surname to be a derivative of your father's name.. Exp. FitzJohn mean's Son of John. Even after this practice became outdated, several of the names remained as surnames. 

BFab11

I don't mind last names as first names, and really like some of them. Archer is a favorite of mine.

dpdw

I like last names as first names in theory, but in practice it can get annoying if you also have a last name that can be a first name.  Interestingly both DH & I have first names which are common last names AND last names which are common first names.  Before I was married I was constantly called by my last name by people who saw my name in writing before I personally met them -- like new teachers or coaches.  It was especially annoying when I got out into the workforce & casual business associates would mess it up.  People I dealt with only over email were the worst offenders. 

I couldn't wait to change my name when I got married because at least DH's last name is a common first name for boys.  I haven't had one person in 8 years mess up my name now.

brooklynesque

Andrew, Michael, James and Thomas are biblical names.  Any similar last names were derived from those first names and not vice-versa.

My issue with last names as first names is that it's the appropriation of a random always WASP-y last name that (generally) has nothing to do with one's family or heritage.  It's like trying to be pretentious but missing the point -- for most of the people who originally popularized such names they were family names.  It's also such a trend right now that it will sound really dated in a few years -- you'll hear the name Sawyer or Peyton and immediately know when he/she was born, and it will be kind of eye-rolling.   

apc1929

I think its a great way to incorporate a maiden name or maternal side name into your child.  I just like it better if there is some meaning/personal association with it.   To name your kid Drucker just cause you think it sounds cool just isn't really my thing-  but if you told me it was your grandmothers maiden name and she had a huge influence on your life I'd see it differently...    Again our kids generation are going to have a much much bigger spectrum of names in their classes so the whole "they are going to get picked on" argument just doesn't fly for me.  Some of my sons kindergarten friends have very different names and he doesn't think twice about it.

526SadieSadie

apc1929:

I think its a great way to incorporate a maiden name or maternal side name into your child.  I just like it better if there is some meaning/personal association with it.   To name your kid Drucker just cause you think it sounds cool just isn't really my thing-  but if you told me it was your grandmothers maiden name and she had a huge influence on your life I'd see it differently...    Again our kids generation are going to have a much much bigger spectrum of names in their classes so the whole "they are going to get picked on" argument just doesn't fly for me.  Some of my sons kindergarten friends have very different names and he doesn't think twice about it.

I agree with this. 

rubyjem00

This is one trend that I actually like. My DH on the other hand hates it.

alohamora

This trend doesn't really bother me for boys, but I don't like it for girls.  Maybe because so many last names sound masculine, and I am in the "hate boy name for girls" group.

cheese.fiend

There are some ridiculous usages, but, for the most part, I don't mind this trend at all.  I think all of the names on our boy list were "last names turned first names" and the name we've chosen for our girl technically falls under this trend (although I've never met someone with this name as a surname).