Can I use my maiden name?

[Spitspotlosttheplot]

My maiden name is Joseph, do you think I could use it as DS's first name? I really love it. DH says he isn't keen on 'biblical' names and whilst it is biblical, it feels like a classic to me and would be amazing to reuse it for DS ☺️ He gets DH's surname after all 😉

Do you think this would be ok or people would find it odd?

Yes my friend did exactly this!

Also if you have given up your surname it is surely only fair that you are able to continue the name in some way and this is a perfect way of doing so!

@Spitspotlosttheplot

Great to know you don't think it's odd. I love it as a first name too, maybe we will settle for a middle spot. Opens a whole new can of worms for other first names though as I feel like I'm stuck on this one

Joseph could still be a first name, but DS could be known by a middle name if the two flew together.

There's a tradition on the paternal side of my family that the first born boy is Joseph xxx, where xxx is the name used.
My brother flipped it with his son who is known as Joseph, but gives an different option on structure of the full set of names.

Big thumbs up to Joseph from me!

Thanks all.

How may Joseph's do you know and what ages?

Many*

I think I only know one child Joseph and one adult (Jo). The child is 11, the adult is late twenties.

The maiden name thing used to be traditional in NI as well I think. My gran was named something quite unusual because of that tradition. I also know a man with the name Mary as a middle name..? Not relevant, but think this was a tradition in Ireland too. Or maybe just his family?

Aaaanyway, I do think it's fairly classic and not strictly 'just' a religious name. The family with the 11 yo Joseph are not religious at all and the adult Jo I know isn't either, although his parents may be. I'd be quite surprised though.

My brother has my mums maiden name as his first name (Thomas) and my cousin has our nans maiden name as his name (Alexander) I think it's fine and quite a lovely way to honour the name

My friend did this, her surname was Barry but she changed it when she got married. Everyone thought it was a great idea and he has never had any issues.

My friend's son has her maiden name as his first name. I do think it's a little odd, but no reason not to do it if you like the idea.

I'd be more concerned that you're trying to persuade your DH to agree to a name he doesn't particularly like, because you both need to like it.

@DramaAlpaca I'm sure I'm with thousands of other women that are trying to find names that pass the husband test! It's my name and the children and I will have his surname, I don't think it's concerning that I'd like him to like it too. He doesn't like anything, so this is story of my life!

I did the same thing with my son, he has my maiden name (which is a biblical boys name) as his name. I love it! To be honest even some of my old school friends didn't even make the connection until I pointed it out haha.

@Lazydaisydaydream that's lovely, I wondered whether people would make the connection too. Regardless, it's so meaningful so I'm hoping to do the same crosses fingers

I would consider that if you divorce, some women change their name back again, in which case you'd be Ms Joseph again.
I doubt there was a compromise over the surname, so odd there needs to be one over the first name. Better if you can agree obviously.
My dc both have my surname as a middle name.

Mothers family is Scottish and they all have maiden names for middle names, it's just the done thing. My cousin has it too