Suggestion: Ability To Have Just A First Name

[Styrmwyda]

(Sorry if this is not the right place for this) This would especially fit for Viera, who usually just have a first name as their "city name", like Fran for example. For title purposes (like Grand Company ranks), the first name will also be used, for example, a character named "Cherry" who is a Captain would be referred to as "Captain Cherry" by relevant NPCs.

[Rosenstrauch]

This probably isn't the right board for this, no. But as to the topic...

This would probably be fairly complicated to accomplish, as the game would have to be programmed to check for your first name for dialogue that calls for a last name (or vise versa). You'd also have a lot less freedom on what you could pick for a character name if you wanted to opt out of a last name. To use my character's name as an example: There can be thousands of "Lily"s on any given world so long as each of them has a unique last name, but if any of them wanted to opt out of having a last name, only one could actually do so. More options is always nice, of course, but the benefit would likely be tiny for the necessary workload.

As far as Viera names in particular are concerned, I'd recommend just doing what I did and mash the two naming conventions together: A first name that holds significance to your character and a last name that's the city they've adopted as their home. You'll get weird moments like your Grand Company calling you [Rank] [City], but that's not too big a deal.

[Risvertasashi]

A friend recent tried to get me to play a game that only allows one name, no spaces etc. What a reminder of the dark ages that was. I never got through because I couldn't find a free name and I wasn't willing to do the thing where people surround it with Xs, a la xXxCherryxXx or whatever.

Even if this suggestion could be implemented with little technical effort (not likely), there would be intense competition for names like Cherry (or Lily, etc). You being the one to get the name? Overwhelmingly unlikely.

[Lumivyory]

While it would make sense as not everyone has a last name imagine how hard it would be to name your character. A lot of characters have the same name and different last names (and vise versa).
If we'll be allowed to only have first name there will come a time when we will simply run out of options. And if someone takes the name you want - you're screwed, you will either have to change the spelling or add a last name anyway.
And unlike other MMOs we can't use numbers and most symbols.

[LineageRazor]

Characters in-game rarely refer to you by both your first and last names, so you can sort of get the effect you're after simply by using the same name for both your first and last names. (For example, call yourself Shayla Shayla)