Maiden name as first name

mallorynelson · February 2011

Okay, so we just found out we're having a boy and we have an idea but aren't sure if it's too "out there", so I need your honest opinions.

I am the oldest of four girls so my poor dad will not have his name carried on. The last name will actually stop after this generation, as all of his brothers have only daughters like him, and the one male is to his sister (who is married with a different last name).

So my husband and I were talking and are thinking of using my maiden name as his first name. However, it sounds odd to us (me especially) since I am so used to hearing it tied at the end of my name. It's hard to get an unbiased opinion from family and friends because they think of it as my last name too. So I thought I'd come here!

Coburn James Nelson, with a nickname of Coby. Please give me your honest opinions of whether or not you think this could work for a first name.

hollyberry3333 · February 2011

It's different but I love that it has a special meaning! I think it would grow on me and knowing that is has importance has already made me like it more and more... GL!

KMac2784 · February 2011

I like Coby as the nn. And what a great way to carry on your family's name!

alliejo725 · February 2011

I didn't expect to, but I love it.

I think it's a great idea to honor your family and father through his surname, and I think you have a nice maiden name (with a great NN option).

TBLilyRose · February 2011

I think it's a nice way to honor the name.

SnowyBaby · February 2011

It's not "out there" like other names I have heard, but a little different. I think it does have a good story behind the name though. If it were me, I might not, but to each is own.

shopgirl_07 · February 2011

I like it.

clee2009 · February 2011

I love the background story and I love the nickname. I say go for it. Although I have not heard the name I do not think of it as a horrible name. If fact I kind of like it

jfgates05 · February 2011

There's a little boy in my class at school named Coburn and he recently decided he wanted to start going by "Coby". He's a sweetie.

myHeartisFoReVeR · February 2011

Sounds like a special meaning, so I like it!

lily87 · February 2011

I like it too. I think that it is different, but it isn't odd like some of the other suggestions we see here. And, it is phonetic. Also, I really like Coby.

c446784 · February 2011

love it!!! go for it!!!

JingleBeIIe · February 2011

At first I thought you wanted to name your LO "Maiden." ::phew::

I get the significance, but personally I'm not a fan. I read Coburn as Co-burn, so I think it burning too, which doesn't bring me pictures of sweet little boys, but instead devil children. I do like Coby though, so I would go with Coby James Nelson and know where the name came from.

Jane O · February 2011

I kind of like it. It's unique and it has meaning.

mlb108 · February 2011

I never would have thought of that for a FN, but I actually like it more than I thought I would. And you have a good NN for it, as well. I think it's a name that will age well, and the fact that it has special meaning for you and your family makes it that much better!

PhilsWife07 · February 2011

imnyke · February 2011

I like your name choice. It's very cute. It's different but not too different.

forensicmama · February 2011

Oh, I haven't heard Coburn yet! I really love it!!!

Great combo!

sugarpumpkin716 · February 2011

i think it's a nice idea but i don't like it at all, i'm sorry. as a middle name, no problem, but i think it's a bit of a stretch as a first name.

sarahbeth27 · February 2011

greenclovers · February 2011

I think it works. I hate when people use last names as first names when there is no significance to it. But when you have a connection to the name, I think it's great. Especially when you have a good nickname. Go for it!

othello888 · February 2011

We are thinking of going with a family name that has meaning and is a bit different also. I think it is such a more powerful name when there is a family meaning behind it. I feel better about using it. I do like the name too and the nn. Go for it!

erincon8 · February 2011

I like the nn and love the meaning behind it.

mcbray21 · February 2011

I really like it! I say go for it.

purplerhi · February 2011

I like it and I didn't expect to. I think it sounds good. And later in life if he hated Coburn or Coby, he could always go by C.J.

Ciconrad · February 2011

I like it! DS #2's name is my maiden name and I love it!

Sunshine is mine · February 2011

I've never been a huge fan of naming a baby something just to call them by their MN or NN since birth...In this case though, I LOVE it! I think Coby is soo cute and I think it's a great way to honor the family!

SnoopyLuv · February 2011

I like it a lot. I love the nn Coby. Good choice!

I was going to use my maiden as a FN but it doesn't go with my new last name at all.

msm261 · February 2011

DS's name is my mn. . .People think it's kinda out there b/c of the 2 a's (Maack), but I love it and couldn't be happier. Go for it!

echan07 · February 2011

I like it! My cousin's little boy is named his wife's maiden, Baker.

I wish I had a cool maiden name - I'd totally use it! (However my maiden name is a main character in Charlotte's web - and it's not Wilbur!)

mlf625 · February 2011

I absolutely love it. And I think the meaning would be very special to your family. DS's first name (Anderson) is my late grandmother's maiden name and it meant a lot to my dad and other family members to see part of her carried on by the first great grandchild.

Angel0423 · February 2011

I think it sounds nice!

erinms · February 2011

I actually really like it. I am a big fan of family names, and I think Coburn has enough panache to be a cool first name. Coby is cute, but CJ would also be a good option if he prefers.

bandwife928 · February 2011

Love it! My maiden name is actually on our short list of names. It's not a typical first name but we have the same problem in our family with no male cousins with that last name.

Mrs.Leah.Maria · February 2011

Love it and it's totally NMS. The meaning has such significance!

carolinag · February 2011

i think coburn could totally work as a first name. i like the idea of the maiden name as a first name. now if you're mn was o'hara or schneider or something i'd say no, but coburn works.

Peainthepod? · February 2011

I really like it! I think Coby is a very cute nn. We plan on using my maiden name if we have a boy. I have always planned on using it, although it's become a popular first name so I think he'll go by his middle name (Carson William, called Will NOT willy!) but our first born son (who has yet to be born) will be named after my grandmas maiden name. I promised her about 15 years ago I would name my first born son after her because she had always wished she did. This name has also become popular and I don't love it as much as I did 15 years ago, but a promise is a promise (Parker James).