Ok to reuse a family name?

[SighFi]

My nephew (2yo) has a unique family name (one of our grandparent's names) as their middle name.

I have always wanted to use this name as a first name for my child, and am now pregnant with a boy and want to know what people think - do you think it's weird to use the same name as a first name if it's already in the generation as a middle name?

Fwiw nephew currently goes exclusively by his first name, not his middle name.

Yes of course. Go ahead.

In my extended family there are 2 girls (cousins) with the same family forename.

There are 2 boys (cousins) likewise. None of us ever gets confused.

No problem at all. This has been done in my family with no issues whatsoever

Of course.

He isn't using his middle name for people to refer to him, so fine for someone else to use it.

Of course. I did my family tree recently, oodles of brothers and sisters naming DC the same names (cousins). So many Alices, Elizabeths, etc, similarly: Christopher, Robert, James.

My sons middle name is James. My cousins son is called James. I'm not sure she even knows its his middle name tbh. It's certainly never been an issue.

Yes I think it's fine as it's a family name and it's a middle name for your nephew not a first name.

I would however, let the nephew's parents know in advance that that's what you are naming your son. Don't ask permission. It's not their decision, but it would be polite to prewarn them due to the overlap.

I think this is obviously fine.

I don’t even know the middle names of half my cousins.

It would be a bit strange in my family because we tend to call children by their first and middle names together at least some of the time, although they’re not double barrelled. My son goes by his first name most of the time but is often called by his first and middle at home. Though if your nephew definitely only ever goes by his first name it shouldn’t be an issue.

It's all good, especially if it's a family name as well!

Absolutely fine.

I know someone with 3 girls and between their first and middle names she’s only used 3 names. Think -
Charlotte Alice
Alice Bethany
Bethany Charlotte

My DS is 6 hours younger than his cousin and has the scenario you’re talking about - DS’s first name is cousins middle name. It’s never caused any questions or confusion

It's fine. My middle name is my younger cousins first name.

Do whatever you want to do @Sighfi it's no one's business!
Congratulations 👏 🎉 😁🎇

Thank you, I think this is a very good approach and great advice!

Depends on the name and on the parents. Would you mind if it was your child's middle name being used as a first name by your sibling?

I would word it as 'Hope you don't mind but we're calling the baby Spartacus after his great-granddad.' not 'Is it ok...?' or 'Sorry...'

If you love the name use it.

DS and his partner have just named their DS the same name as my nephew (DS's cousin). Not an unusual or family name, but noone seems to mind.

Actually, also one of DH's cousins sons name is the same as our DS and another has the same middle name.

Yes, it’s absolutely fine.

Completely fine - family names are always up for grabs and they used it as a middle so they have no grounds to object to your usage as the given name. Agree with mentioning it beforehand so you don’t feel weird making the announcement.

My son’s cousin has the same first name and everyone is happy about it. It was a name that meant a lot in our family and there’s a big age gap. I think my son was rather flattered!
As others have said, I don’t even remember most people’s second names so I don’t think it should be an issue at all.
Congratulations!