Two names are cumbersome.

[Renshi]

Viewing only the First Name? Yup!
Possibility to input only the First Name in the Character Creation? Yup!
Removing the Surnames that we have? Nope! (which isn't OP's question)

There is choice. Some people don't like long names, some want to express their imagination and creativity, and I think that both people have the right to co-exist, but not having read the thread admittedly, if someone said that Surnames have to be abolished, then I'm gonna put a NO on your head and Sledgehammer it on your brain!

[Riaayo]

I wanted to be mad but you state that people could keep their full names if they wanted and that you just wanted an option for a single name. I think that's a pretty fair request... I have no real idea if their server could be set up in a way to process a single-named character since what if someone had your full name as their first name; it might cause some issues.

But that said, if it's possible and something people want, I think it would be pretty fine... maybe not everyone wants a last name, or wants others knowing their character's mysterious last name. I'd say maybe they even just want a "title" though there's a title system so, I dunno.

6am, words words words!

[Aelthar]

Just My 2 cents.

I prefer a system when, in the character creation you have 2 separated input text. One for the name and one for the surname.

the FIRST name should be the one used as mandatory ID of your character, for uniqueness check, /tell parameter and stuff. Then you can, if you wish, input a surname and have it visible.

ALSO, and I know i will be BASHED hard for this .. but i'm a Roleplay whore, so it would be COOL for Roleplaying sake, have an option (so on/off switch) for showing only the names of people in your friend list, and other listed as Anonymous. But alas i know that such things are bound to be forgotten in the past, in some UO shard.. sigh