(no subject)

[pleasure-past.livejournal.com]

Purely hypothetical: Should you ask a person's permission before naming your child after that person?

Does it change things if you're not necessarily naming the child after the person in question, but you just happen to like a name that someone close to you has? (e.g., You've always loved the name Matthew and want to name your son Matthew, but it has nothing to do with your brother named Matthew.)

Comments

[duckduckcaboose.livejournal.com]

To me, it would depend on the prevalence of the name. To build on your example:
If your brother Matthew is the only Matthew in your circle of family/friends with that name, you might want to mention it to him, if not ask his permission right out.
If you have a brother, cousin, neighbor, friend from high school, and your SO's old roomie who are ALL named Matthew, then... not so much.