Naming my first son after High School best friend

So I, M 33, am expecting my first kid. I've told a few people (mom, sister) about my plan to name him after my friend. I've gotten some weird looks and stuff, and I'm just wondering if it's THAT unusual. They wonder why not after a grandparent/sibling ect.

For context; I grew up with only me and my physically, emotionally and mentally abusive father.(there were my head sized holes in walls for a small clue how bad it was) I was forced homeschooling until middle school when my mom left with my sister and brother. I opted to stay with dad, (young age 11 yr old, I didn't like moms new bf, and before shit got really bad bad) I was basically stuck in the house I hated my whole teenage life, afraid of moving too fast and making dad mad. People in school thought I was weird and I was shunned. I slept in school alot and got into fights. I smelled weird, and wore baggy ass clothes to hide bruises.

It was basically the same until my junior year of high school. I met my best friend when i was 16, and we hit it off instantly. He was into games, (I had a n64 and a Gameboy my uncle got me) so we talked about his ps2, xbox and other things I wished I had. Eventually we started hanging out after school, I'd sneak away and go to his house (alot of trauma where his family lies, I won't get into it) but we became close off of shared experiences. He was the first person I ever invited to my house (he saw the holes and asked so he knew what I was going through. He also witnessed first hand how bad it was)

He and his family became my chosen family. I became close to him, his grandparents, parents. And throughout my young adult life he was there for me. After alot of bullshit that alot of my immediate family cut me off for (drugs, illegal activities, dumb decisions) he was still there. He's been the only constant in my life so I want to name my first kid after him. Do you guys think it's appropriate? Should I ask him about it?

(Edit for more context. I'm a Jr. Alot of people wanted me to continue with that or go with William after my mom's dad and dad's dad)