Family names that have been used?

Fallenstar2716

My DH and I have been considering using my grandfather's name as a first or middle name for our baby due in January (sex is a surprise so it depends on that). My cousin just gave birth to a little boy and used the name as a middle name. Drat!

My question is, do you think the name is off the table now? It's not a cousin I see/talk to very often but I don't want to tick her off by using the name. Should I let her know we're considering using the name too or just surprise everyone if we decide to use it? This has thrown me for a loop!

tetesmama

I'd totally use his name either FN or MN! Regardless it is in honor of grandpa.

plunderb

Great-grandpa's name is always on the table for great-grandkids. It is perfectly ok for second cousins to share their great-grandparent's name.

moonglow_84

In this case I think this would be fine.  If our LO is a boy we will be giving him the MN John which is the same MN as my nephew.  It is also the MN of my brother, my father, my father's father, and it is the FN of my mother's father.

If it's a family name, I wouldn't be offended by it at all if I were your cousin.  Plus you want the name to be continued in your own family line.

MoreThanABride

If they used it as a first name I would be more hesitant, but as is, I think it is fine to use it.

trish3905

Your grandfather's name is fair game.  Especially since you don't see your cousin often and she just used it as a middle name.  I also wouldn't worry about giving her a heads-up.

amyegunnip

My sister's son had our late grandfather's name as his MN and my brother's son has his name as his FN. I think it is a nice way to honor family

Fallenstar2716

Thanks everyone! I wasn't expecting anyone else to use it so I guess it just threw me off a little. You put my worries to rest. :-)

AimeeL85

I would not consider it off the table; I'm sure your grandfather would have loved that you both honored him like that!

I am in a similar situation.  When I was a child, my cousin who was like a best friend to me, passed away very suddenly.  Her step-sister had a baby girl 3 years ago and used her sister's (my cousin's) name as the middle name.  I am now having a girl and will be using it as a middle name as well. We both loved her dearly and want to honor her memory.

 

LolaBelle515

I don't think someone can "claim" a name or prevent anyone from using it in the future, BUT, in order to avoid family drama, I would personally run it by your cousin first:) 

queenbone

If the children share a great grandfather they can share his name. Especially if it is in the MN spot.  Don't worry about it!

ancp27

I have 1 cousin, a nephew and my cousin's son that all have my Grandpa's name. My sister is 100% using it for her sons first name. Not one person in the family has a problem with it, I say go for it!

GoldenPeaches

I think it's fine. It's a family name, she only used it as a middle name, and she is a cousin, not a sibling.

swimiz500

I would definitely still use it. 

Outdoorlovinmama4

Since they used it as a middle name, I say it's still on the table. Some of my cousins have a first name that another has as a middle name. I don't even know most of my cousins middle names actually or my cousins kids' middle names! I wouldn't say anything either. If they wanted it that bad and not be taken by anyone else in the family, they'd have used it as a first name.

MrsP7309

My dad has 3 brothers. All four of them has a child with their father's name as the child's middle name... so my brother has 3 cousins with the same middle name as he does. Don't worry about it.

Todd&Laura

This. 

Our boy name for this baby was the same name that a good friend used as a mn for her son. It was no big deal.