Frowned upon?!

[marydolenz]

Hello! My husband I met a sweet, sweet man while travelling through Wales by the name of Shepherd. That was his first name--not his surname. We were both surprised at first, but now we love it as a first name, and we're thinking about giving it to our boy due on the 30th. Thoughts/opinions? We hope it isn't frowned upon to use a surname as a first name!

Lots of Last names are used as first names, so I wouldn't think it was frowned upon at all.
It's actually quite traditional to use the paternal grandmothers maiden name as a first name for girls in America, something like that anyway.

I domt like it. Surnames as first names are fine but Shepherd is an occupation which makes it strange imo x

He'd get Shep for short, which is a dogs' name.

So that's a no from me.

I quite like Shep. Not keen on shepherd though. At the end of the day it’s you and your partners choice no one else’s. Reminds me of names like Pip of which I know a few!

Clearly will be labelled as a pie if he's on the plump side

Yeah the only objection from me is the dogs’ name Shep as an inevitable nickname.

But seriously, if you love the name then go for it. I’ve met quite a few people over the years who were named for random people with unusual names that the parents met during the pregnancy! It makes for a good story and although I love classic names, it would be SO boring if we were all called James, Thomas, Elizabeth and Victoria!

Clearly will be labelled as a pie if he's on the plump side

Or even if not

There are worse names. (Mine has a number of unsavoury rhymes. Kids will always find something to pick on!)

I don’t think Sheperd falls into the any (usually not very nice) preconceptions people have about surname names like Harrison, Jackson etc. as it’s also an occupation. Which is stranger than using a surname as a first name in my opinion. And since you are asking for opinions I think it’s awful (sorry).

Would be OK as a middle name

I actually think it's ok

I think it's cute admittedly unusual

It's awful (sorry).

I think it’s a bit odd as it’s an occupation. It’s like calling him carpenter or electrician or plumber to my ear. But there are other names like this that work, like Taylor, Tyler and Mason. Not my cup of tea though.

I don’t mind Shepherd, but Shep is John Noakes’ dog.