Last Names That Are Adorable First Names
- Rohmer
Origin:
German surnameMeaning:
"pilgrim; fame"Description:
Like other stylish choices from Roman to Romy to Romeo, Rohmer is a German surname that relates to both Roman pilgrims and the root word for fame.
- Bingham
Origin:
British surnameMeaning:
"homestead at a hollow"Description:
Bingham is the unusual surname name chosen by Kate Hudson and Matt Bellamy for their son. It was Bellamy's mother's maiden name, and the nickname Bing, coincidentally, belongs to almost-stepfather Kurt Russell's dad. We haven't heard Bing since crooner Crosby, but it does have a lot of zing.
- Malone
Origin:
Irish surnameMeaning:
"devotee of St. John"Description:
Currently more popular among baby girls than boys — perhaps due to the association with Irish folksong "Molly Malone."
- Freeman
Origin:
Word name or surname name, EnglishMeaning:
"free man"Description:
Another meaningful word name that actually dates back to pre-Emancipation days.
- Kendrix
Origin:
Variation of Kendrick, English and ScottishMeaning:
"royal ruler, champion; home ruler"Description:
This modern mash up of Kendrick and Hendrix felt almost bound to happen. Perfect for parents wanting something cool and contemporary but also familiar, Kendrix has in fact been quietly used since the 70s. Given to around 110 babies in 2023, the increased popularity of the name is likely owing to rock musician Jimi Hendrix, rapper Kendrick Lamar, and (female) Power Ranger, Kendrix Morgan.
- Seeley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"blessed, happy"Description:
Surname name with an uplifting meaning. Just beware that this is a well-known mattress brand.
- Carlisle
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"from the walled city"Description:
Carlisle may be a male name in Twilight (he's vampire hero Edward's adoptive father), but in the real baby naming world, it's used about a quarter of the time for girls. Unusual now, we think Carlisle (or Carlyle) has the potential to be the next Carter.
- Hall
Origin:
English occupational nameMeaning:
"worker at the hall"Description:
A simple, self-possessed, somewhat serious surname, which might work better as a middle.
- Swayze
Origin:
English from GermanMeaning:
"Swiss"Description:
Swayze is an Anglicization of the German surname Schweiz or Schweizer, referring to a Swiss person. It's most commonly associated with late actor Patrick Swayze, of Dirty Dancing fame. Interestingly, it's overwhelmingly feminine, with over 83% of babies born with the name girls.
- Ashby
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"ash tree farm"Description:
Ashley substitute with a slightly more unisex feel; it was picked for her daughter by TV host Nancy O'Dell.
- Caruso
Origin:
Italian surnameDescription:
Naples-born Enrico Caruso was one of the greatest opera singers of all time. Recordings of his powerful singing voice are still in circulation today, nearly 100 years after his death.
- Rawlings
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"son of Raul"Description:
Rawlings was a surname brought to England with the Norman invasion and has ties to the name Raul, which means "wolf counsel."
- Morrissey
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendant of Muiris"Description:
When British rocker Steven Patrick Morrissey decided to use his last name alone, it became a viable option for baby namers, a lot cooler than Morris or Maurice, with the nice three-syllable lilt of of such other Irish surnames as Finnegan and Flanagan. It can also be spelled Morrisey.
- Collier
Origin:
English occupational surnameMeaning:
"coal miner"Description:
An old-fashioned term for a coal miner, or nowadays, a sister to Harper and Piper.
- Malloy
Description:
More obscure Irish surname-name, also spelled Molloy, that's prime for use.
- Halliday
Origin:
Scottish surnameMeaning:
"holiday"Description:
This ancient Scottish surname may be pagan in origin, referring to a "holy day", but today it makes an attractive and unique Scottish name for girls. Halliday has many spelling variations and traveled throughout the British Isles and to France, where it has royal associations, and eventually to the new world. Johnny Hallyday was a French pop star.
- Copeland
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"bought land"Description:
Up-and-coming surname name that may evoke thoughts of ballet dancer Misty Copeland or one of the many towns called Copeland.
- Townes
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"one who lived in a village"Description:
Townes entered baby name consciousness — as a girl name, at least — in 2024 when Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma chose it for their daughter, Townes Meadow. Townes is a more established choice for boys, among whom it's often associated with the late musician Townes Van Zandt.
- Skyes
Origin:
English word name or surnameMeaning:
"skies; scholar"Description:
This single syllable, plural-sounding name evokes ideas of travel, of standing and looking up to different skies. With its sharp sounds and sweeping meaning, it feels like it could fit in with Ocean and Atlas, or with Kai and Silas. Plus, while the Sky- names are currently more popular for girls in the US, the surname style of Skyes could perhaps lend it a slightly more masculine quality, as in the case of Brooks vs. Brooke.
- Evans
Origin:
Welsh surnameMeaning:
"the Lord is gracious"Description:
Evans is an historic Welsh patronymic surname, derived from Evan, which is a form of John. With Evan's popularity in the U.S. and the U.K. -- it's a Top 50 names -- the stylish s-ending version may also be on the rise.