Using last names as first names has become a popular trend in recent decades, and it’s no wonder why! These names add a unique touch to a child’s moniker, and many are gender-neutral, making them perfect for both boys and girls. They are among the coolest last names to use as a first name.
Despite their complex history, using last names as first names for a baby is not a new trend. Our research has uncovered 100 amazing options if you’re looking to give your child a standout name that is sure to make a lasting impression. Plus, some made it to the most popular names in the US.
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50 Last Names as First Names for Boys
Choosing a last name as a surname is quite fitting, given that many surnames originated as labels to indicate a person’s filiation or descent from their father.
Abbott
Abbott is a surname of English and Hebrew origin. It is derived from the word Abbot, which means father or head of a monastery. Interestingly, the name Abbott was also used as a first name in the Middle Ages.
Anderson
Anderson is a Scottish surname meaning "son of Andrew". It is a common surname in Scotland, and the name is also used as a first name.
Armstrong
Armstrong is a Scottish last name meaning "strong arm". The name was first recorded in the Scottish Borders region in the 13th century, and it is also used as a first name.
Bailey
Bailey is an English and French surname that means "steward" or "bailiff". The name was originally used to denote someone who was in charge of the property of a lord or nobleman. The name is now also used as a first name for boys and girls.
Baldwin
The name Baldwin is derived from the Germanic elements "bald" meaning bold and "win" meaning friend. It was a common name among the medieval nobility in Europe.
Brown
The surname Brown is a descriptive name referring to someone with brown hair or a dark complexion. It is one of the most common surnames in the English-speaking world, and has been used by notable figures such as musicians James Brown and Chris Brown.
Carter
The surname Carter is an occupational name for someone who drove a cart or wagon. It is a common surname among English, Scottish, and Irish families.
Chambers
The surname Chambers comes from the Middle English word "chaumbre", meaning an enclosed space. It was originally an occupational name for someone who was in charge of a private chamber or rooms.
Cooper
The last name Cooper comes from the Middle English word "cuper", meaning someone who makes or repairs barrels. It was originally an occupational name for someone who worked with wood.
Davis
The surname Davis is derived from the Welsh "Dafydd", meaning "son of David". It is a common surname in Wales and has been used by notable figures such as jazz musician Miles Davis and activist Angela Davis.
Dixon
Dixon is an English patronymic surname that means "son of Dick," a shortened form of the given name Richard. The surname is found throughout England, but it is most common in the north of the country.
Edwards
Edwards is an English and Welsh patronymic surname derived from the given name Edward, meaning "wealthy guardian." It is among the most common surnames in England and Wales.
Evans
Evans is a patronymic surname of Welsh origin, meaning "son of Evan," a Welsh variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious." The surname is particularly common in Wales and in the United States, where it has been used as a first name as well.
Fisher
Fisher is an occupational last name of English and Jewish origin, meaning "fisherman."
Franklin
Franklin is an English surname meaning "landowner of free but not noble birth." It was a status name in medieval England, denoting someone who was not a noble but who held a freehold property.
Gallagher
Gallagher is a unique and intriguing Irish surname that could make a strong first name choice for a baby boy.
Graham
Graham is a classic Scottish surname that has gained popularity as a first name in recent years.
Harper
Harper is a trendy and gender-neutral surname that has has a musical and literary feel, thanks to its meaning and famous namesake, Harper Lee.
Hayes
Hayes is an English last name that has a laid-back and approachable feel.
Jackson
Jackson is a popular and trendy last name that has become a first name favorite in recent years. It has a strong and masculine feel and is a great choice if you're looking for a classic yet modern option.
Johnson
Johnson is an English name that literally means "son of John." It has been a common surname in the English-speaking world since the 12th century, and is also frequently used as a first name.
Kennedy
Kennedy is an Irish name that means "helmeted head." It was originally a surname, but has become increasingly popular as a first name.
King
King is a powerful English name that means "monarch." It has been used as both a surname and a first name for centuries, and is now a trendy choice for baby boys.
Lawson
Lawson is an English last name that means "son of Lawrence."
Lewis
Lewis is a popular name for boys that has been used for centuries. It has Welsh and English origins and means "leader or prince". The name is often associated with the famous writer C.S. Lewis, who wrote The Chronicles of Narnia series.
Martin
Martin has been a popular name for centuries, with a history dating back to ancient Rome. It is a timeless classic that continues to be popular today.
Mitchell
Mitchell is a classic English name that has been in use for centuries. Its meaning "who is like God" gives it a strong and noble feel, and it has been popularized by many notable namesakes in various fields of endeavor.
Nelson
Nelson is a surname that has become a popular first name in recent years. It has a strong and masculine sound, and its meaning "son of Neil" gives it a sense of familial heritage.
Newman
Newman is a unique and distinctive surname that has recently been adopted as a first name. Its meaning "newcomer" gives it a sense of freshness and originality.
Oliver
Oliver is a timeless classic that has been in use for centuries. Its meaning "olive tree" gives it a natural and earthy feel
Owens
Owens is a Welsh surname that means "son of Owen," which is derived from the Welsh name Owain. It has become a popular first name in recent years, likely due to its simple and strong sound, as well as its association with successful figures such as Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens.
Parker
Parker is an English surname that originally referred to a person who was a keeper of a park. As a first name, Parker has become increasingly popular in the United States in recent years, likely due to its gender-neutral sound and association with successful figures such as jazz musician Charlie Parker and actress Sarah Jessica Parker.
Peterson
Peterson is an English surname that means "son of Peter." While it is not a common first name, it has been given to notable figures such as psychologist and author Jordan Peterson and Tom Peterson, the founder of the pet store chain Petco.
Quinn
Quinn is an Irish surname that means "descendant of Conn." As a first name, Quinn has become popular in the United States in recent years, likely due to its short and punchy sound.
Reynolds
Reynolds is an English surname that means "son of Reynold." While it is not a common first name, it has been given to notable figures such as actor Burt Reynolds and actress and singer Debbie Reynolds.
Rodriguez
Rodriguez is a popular Spanish surname which means "son of Rodrigo". It is often found among people of Spanish and Latin American descent.
Scott
Scott is a Scottish surname which means "from Scotland". It has been used as a first name since the 19th century and is now a popular name for boys in the English-speaking world.
Smith
Smith is an English occupational surname which means "metal worker". It is one of the most common surnames in the English-speaking world and has been used as a first name for boys in recent years.
Thomas
Thomas is a biblical name of Aramaic origin which means "twin". It has been used as a first name since the Middle Ages and is a popular name for boys in the English-speaking world.
Turner
Turner is an English occupational surname which means "lathe worker". It has been used as a first name for boys in recent years, but is still relatively uncommon.
Underwood
Underwood is an English last name that refers to someone who lived below a wood or forest. It has been used as a first name in recent years, possibly due to the popularity of country singer Carrie Underwood.
Vasquez
Vasquez is a Spanish last name that means "son of Vasco," with Vasco being a given name meaning "crow" or "basque." As a first name, it is not very common, but has been used in some Hispanic cultures.
Vaughn
Vaughn is a Welsh surname that means "little." It has been used as a first name in recent years, especially in the United States, where it has gained some popularity.
Walker
Walker is an English surname that originally referred to someone who was a cloth-walker or fuller of cloth. It has been used as a first name since the late 19th century.
Wallace
Wallace is a Scottish surname that originally referred to someone who was a foreigner or Welshman. The name became popular as a first name due to its use in literature and history.
Xavier
Xavier is a Basque name that has become popular worldwide, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries. It is commonly associated with Saint Francis Xavier, one of the founders of the Jesuit order and a patron saint of missionaries.
Yates
Yates is an English name that originated as an occupational surname, referring to someone who was a gatekeeper. It has become a rare first name choice that exudes strength and tradition.
Young
Young is an English name that literally means "young". It has been used as both a first and a last name for centuries, and is associated with individuals who possess vitality, vigor, and youthfulness.
Ziegler
Ziegler is a German name that originated as an occupational surname, referring to someone who was a brick maker. It is a name that exudes strength and dependability, and has become increasingly popular as a first name in recent years.
Zimmerman
Zimmerman is a German name that originated as an occupational surname, referring to someone who was a carpenter. It is a name that conveys skill and craftsmanship.
50 Last Names as First Names for Girls
Although surnames are inherently unisex, it is true that some of them are more commonly associated with girls than boys. Nevertheless, our selection includes some options that may not be traditionally viewed as feminine.
Addison
Addison is a unisex name that was originally an English surname. It has become increasingly popular as a girl's name likely due to the rise of the nickname Addie.
Baker
Baker is a simple and straightforward occupational name that was originally given to bakers. It has been used as a surname for centuries and has only recently been used as a first name.
Bell
Bell is a surname that was originally given to bell ringers. It has been used as a first name for both boys and girls, although it is more commonly used as a girl's name.
Bennett
Bennett is an English surname that originated from the Latin name Benedictus, which means "blessed."
Blake
Blake is a unisex name that was originally an English surname. It can mean "fair-haired" or "dark," depending on the interpretation, and has been used as a first name for both boys and girls since the 19th century.
Bridges
The surname Bridges comes from the Old English word "brycg", which means "bridge". The name is often associated with strength, stability, and connection.
Brooks
The surname Brooks comes from the Old English word "broc", which means "stream" or "brook". The name is often associated with nature and tranquility.
Carr
The surname Carr has both Irish and Scottish origins. It comes from the Gaelic word "carr", which means "cart" or "wagon".
Clarke
The surname Clarke comes from the Latin word "clericus", which means "clergyman" or "clerk". The name is associated with several famous writers and explorers.
Collins
The surname Collins has both Irish and English origins. It comes from the Gaelic personal name "O'Coileain", which means "descendant of Cuillean", or from the Old English personal name "Colin", which means "victorious people".
Crawford
The surname Crawford is derived from the name of a town in Lanarkshire, Scotland, which means "crow ford." The name is often associated with nobility and the military, as several notable figures with the surname have held high-ranking positions in these fields.
Dawson
Dawson is a patronymic surname meaning "son of David." It was first used as a first name in the 19th century and gained popularity in the 20th century.
Ellis
Ellis is a Welsh name meaning "benevolent" or "kind." It was originally a surname, and was first used as a first name in the 19th century. It is often associated with creativity and intelligence.
Foster
Foster is an English name meaning "one who keeps the forest." It was originally an occupational surname, and was first used as a first name in the 19th century. It is often associated with nature and the outdoors.
Grant
Grant is a Scottish name meaning "large" or "tall." It was originally a nickname for a big person, and later became a surname.
Gray
Gray is a surname of English origin that was derived from a nickname for someone with gray hair or beard. The name has become popular as a first name in recent years, with its association with the color conveying a sense of sophistication and neutrality.
Hart
Hart is an English surname that was derived from the Old English word for stag.
Hudson
Hudson is an English surname that originated from the personal name Hudd, which was a diminutive of the name Hugh. As a first name, Hudson has become increasingly popular in recent years, possibly due to its association with the famous river in New York.
Ingram
Ingram is an English last name that means "Ing's raven", with "Ing" being a Germanic god of fertility and farming.
Jordan
Jordan is a Hebrew surname that means "to flow down", and it is the name of a river in the Middle East.
Kelly
Kelly became a popular first name for both boys and girls in the 1950s and 60s. It is often associated with the Irish surname Kelly, which has a long history in Ireland and is one of the most common surnames in the country.
Lane
Lane is a unisex name that has been used as a first name since the early 20th century. It is derived from the Old English word "lanu," meaning "a lane" or "a narrow country road or path".
Lawrence
Lawrence is an English name derived from the Latin name Laurentius, which means "from Laurentum, a city in ancient Italy." The name has been used as a first name since the Middle Ages.
Medina
Medina is an Arabic name that means "city." It is a unisex name that is often used by Muslim parents in reference to the city of Medina, which is considered one of the holiest cities in Islam.
Montgomery
Montgomery is a surname of Norman French origin, meaning "man power." The name was brought to England after the Norman Conquest in 1066, and was used as a surname before it became a first name.
Moore
The surname Moore is derived from a topographical description of where a family lived, often describing someone who lived near a marsh or moor. It is a popular surname in the English-speaking world and has been used as a first name for both boys and girls.
Morris
The last name Morris has Welsh origins and comes from the personal name Maurice, which means "dark-skinned" or "Moorish". It was a popular given name in the Middle Ages and has been used as a last name for centuries.
Murray
The surname Murray is of Scottish and Irish origin and comes from Gaelic words meaning "seaborn" or "lord of the sea".
Palmer
The surname Palmer is of English origin and comes from the Old English word "palmere", meaning "pilgrim" or "one who has been on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land".
Piper
The Piper surname has its origins in medieval England, where it was used to describe someone who played the pipes.
Price
Price is an English surname that comes from a Middle English word meaning “prize” or “reward”. The name was likely given to someone who was successful or victorious, or who worked for a noble family.
Reid
Reid is a surname that comes from the Old English and Old Scottish words for “red-haired”. It was likely originally given to someone with red hair, or who lived near a place with red soil.
Rice
Rice is a Welsh surname that comes from the personal name Rhys, meaning “ardent”. It was originally given to someone who was the son of a man named Rhys.
Riley
Riley is an Irish last name that comes from the Gaelic word for “valiant”. It was originally given to someone who was brave or courageous.
Ryan
Ryan is an Irish surname that comes from the Gaelic words for “little king”. It was originally given to someone who was a minor king or ruler.
Saunders
The name Saunders is derived from the patronymic surname Alexander, meaning "son of Alexander."
Shaw
Shaw is an English surname that refers to a small wood or grove. It has been used as a first name since the 19th century and has become more popular in recent years.
Shelley
Shelley is an English surname that means "from the clearing on a bank". It has been used as a first name since the 19th century and was popularized by the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and his wife, author Mary Shelley.
Sorrell
The name Sorrell is derived from the French word "sorrelle," meaning "reddish-brown." It has been used as a first name since the 19th century, but it has never been very popular.
Spencer
The name Spencer is derived from the Old French word "despenser," meaning "steward" or "administrator."
Sullivan
Sullivan is an Irish surname that means "black-eyed one." It originated from the Gaelic name O'Sullivan, meaning "descendant of the little dark-eyed one." Sullivan has been used as a first name since the 19th century, and it gained popularity as a first name in the early 2000s.
Tate
Tate is an English surname that means "cheerful." It was originally a nickname for someone who was merry or happy. Tate has been used as a first name since the 19th century, and it is now more commonly used for boys than girls.
Taylor
Taylor is an English last name that means "tailor." It was originally an occupational name for someone who made clothes. Taylor has been used as a first name since the 19th century, and it is now more commonly used for girls than boys.
Tempest
Tempest is an English last name that means "violent storm." It has been used as a given name since the 19th century, but it is still relatively uncommon. The name is associated with Tempest Storm, a famous burlesque performer of the mid-20th century.
Thompson
Thompson is an English surname that means "son of Tom." It originated as a patronymic name for the son of a man named Tom.
Ward
The name Ward has been used as both a first name and a last name since the Middle Ages. Its popularity as a first name in the United States peaked in the 1910s and 1920s.
Watson
Watson is derived from the Old English name "Watt," meaning "son of Walter." The name gained popularity as a surname in medieval England and has since been used as a first name.
Wells
The name Wells is derived from the Old English word "well," meaning "spring." It has been used as a surname since medieval times and as a given name since the 19th century.
Willis
Willis is a patronymic surname meaning "son of William." It has been used as a first name since the 19th century and gained popularity in the United States during the 1950s.
Wright
Wright is an occupational surname indicating someone who works with wood, such as a carpenter or a shipwright.