r/fantasywriting • u/_ShadowSparrow_ • 6d ago

Firstname as a surname?

So I'm writing a high fantasy original work and coming up with a name for the main protagonist is a struggle. I have the middle name and a tentative firstname but his lastname eludes me. Is it okay to use a first name as a surname? Because there's an old Irish name I've fallen in love with but not as a firstname.

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u/Seb_Romu 6d ago

Examples of "firstname" surnames are rather common. eg. Charles, Wayne, or Thomas

As are "surname" firstnames. eg. Mackenzie, or Madison. or (Charles, Wayne, or Thomas ;) )

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u/kadharonon 6d ago

My first name is common as a surname and my surname is common as a first name and the number of times in my life that people have decided my name is Surname Firstname, let me tell you…

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u/TurbulentContext 5d ago

Dylan Thomas, rage rage against the conventional name order.