Names in General.

[AlishaB]

I am having a tough time with choosing a name this time. Both my son's have Irish names and I want to continue with that trend.
However, my eldest son has just made friends with a little boy that has a name that I really like.
What do you guys think about using names that your friends have used? Or the names of kids that your kids are friends with....
Thanks!

[shoefairy3]

I think that particular name is fair game. I only wont do name of immediate family members. Like my dh's cousin and I constantly pick the same boy names

[LittleBirdy]

Both my sister and I have names that are the same as someone my parents knew at the time we were born/adopted. And both were boys! I have the same name as the son of someone my dad worked with/was friends with at the time, except his name starts with a C and mine with a K. My sister has the same name as the brother of my other sister's playmate, except his name also started with a C and hers starts with a K. (My mom is very fond of feminizing boys names, can you tell?)

Anyway, my point is this: I haven't seen the boy I was "named after" in 20+ years. My dad got a new job and didn't see his friend much after that. I also have not seen the boy my sister was "named after" in 20+ years as we moved shortly after we adopted her. If someone who is not a permanent fixture in your life has a name you happen to like, just go for it!

[cileag]

I also think that it depends on how popular the name is. I don't think that anyone should justifiably get angry that someone "stole" the name Jacob for example. Or Aidan to give an Irish example. If it's a name that is incredibly rare--perhaps something like Kalliope, I might be a little miffed, but nothing more than that.