Using family name as a first name

[rebeldeca]

Hear me out on this one! Part of my family (who I never really speak to) have a surname (by marriage) that we really like as a first name for our baby boy due soon.
It is a name that could be used as a first name or surname - Morgan.
What do you all think about using a name like this that is common elsewhere in your family? Does it really matter?

I used my mums maiden name for my sons first name (think Cameron but not actually the name) and my beloved uncle and grandfather (her brother and dad were both called, say John for instance) I used their names as a middle name so like Cameron John.
Everybody loved it as my uncle died pretty young and it was actually his daughter who suggested it, it was her surname at the time but the whole family thought it was a lovely tribute to two wonderful men. He has both their names, just switched.

I’m imagining this as a surname of my aunt or uncles ex partner, that also the surname of my cousins. Is that the level of closeness? Relating this to my own family, I don’t think it would be an issue, but my family are quite spread out.

I used my maiden name as my sons middle name.

I think I might have misinterpreted actually. I thought you meant that there was some acrimony between you and these family members, but rereading I think that you just aren’t that close. If that’s the case, then it should be fine to use.

Yes that’s it - my aunt uncle and one cousins have this as their surname. We aren’t in regular contact and see each other sporadically when we bump into each other, we’re not very close to them.

If you like the name, use it. If it is Morgan, bear in mind he'll be Morg or Morgan the Organ.

I think it's fine.

Although, in DH's massive family no one would even notice, whereas in my tiny family it would feel a bit weird. So maybe you need to take into account your family dynamics.

The kid at my school was known as "Morgan - big M, little organ" which probably wasn't the most pleasant of nicknames for him!

Yeah I would use it.