Opinions on honoring a loved one who is not a family member that has passed away?

It has just been a thought, my fiance and I have decided that if we had a boy we would both love for the child to have his name, Leeland, such a nice original name.

If we were to have a girl though, he said that it would be more of choice for me(although we would obviously agree on it lol).

I've lost many good friends in the last few years to untimely deaths, one of them had such a beautiful name and I was considering it because it's a more original name(which I want for my child) and it would also be a little way to honor her, although it wouldn't be the whole reason for me choosing her name, it's just such a beautiful one, Saffiya.

I would love to hear your opinions on it?