Celebrity Surnames for First Names

[okbrielle]

Hey, everyone. This is my first, official thread and I wanted to get the ball rolling with a concept I've been thinking of for awhile now. Celeb last names that can be used for fun, different first names. I was planning on making this a forum post first and then with your help and suggestions (which ones you like/don't like and some other surnames you think have the same potential) an actual, complete list. So without further ado...


Theron- (Charlize Theron) Taken from the South African actress but perfectly suited for a boy (or man!), Theron fits right in with the Byrons, Henrys, Edwards, and Theodores that are so "classically" popular right now.
Bomer- (Matt Bomer) This little boy is sure to be a popular with the ladies once you see his namesake...
Bronson- (Charles Bronson) Very masculine, very useable.
Winslet- (Kate Winslet) Whether you're a huge Titanic fan or you just really like the possibility of the nickname Winnie, Winslet is exotic, distinctive, and oh-so-lovely.
Ryder- (Winona Ryder) One of my favorite unisex names though I have to admit to being partial to the girls' side.
Pfeiffer- (Michelle Pfeiffer) A spunky alternative to the widely popular Piper, Pfeiffer may need some handiwork done spelling-wise but should prove to be a wonderfully unique name for anybody's little girl.
Lennon- (John Lennon) Any Beatles lover can appreciate this unisex name.
Cruz- (Penelope Cruz) Thanks to David and Victoria Beckham, this boy name has already proved itself quite name-worthy-- and popular!
Beckham- (David Beckham) A great boys' name whether you're looking to honor your favorite soccer player (and heartthrob) or just looking for an alternative to the popular Brendan/Breccan.
Jolie- (Angelina Jolie) Otherwise sweet and feminine, Jolie has the perfect amount of tang and spice thanks to its sexy namesake, Miss Angelina Jolie.
Foster- (Jodie Foster) A fantastic unisex name whether it be used for your little ballerina or your rough n' tumble baseball star.
Monroe- (Marilyn Monroe) Thanks to Mariah Carey, this name has already made its debut as a retro, glamour-filled girls' name. The slightly altered Munro (Munroe) may even find potential as a boys' name.
Wilder- (Gene Wilder) What can I say? A great actor and a great name for a boy.
Lawless- (Lucy Lawless) I was actually extremely happy that I found an actress with this name as I know a family with this surname and always thought it would make for the greatest (if not bravest!) boy name.
Madden/Maddon- (Joel Madden/John Madden/Joe Maddon) Regardless of who you decide to name your little tyke after, Madden is sure to make an excellent choice.
Urban- (Keith Urban) A trendy, upbeat pick that easily transcends into adulthood (just look at Urban Meyer).
Manning- (Eli Manning/Peyton Manning) A terrific unisex pick for all you football fans out there. It might even be catching on as I've already met a little girl with this name.
Retton- (Mary Lou Retton) Just one letter more and you've got Rhetton, a wonderful full(er) name for Rhett plus who wouldn't want to be associated with olympic glory?
Rowling- (J.K. Rowling) Though a little stuffy and perhaps forever banished to the middle position, it does make for a quirky, lovable literary reference.
Jeter- (Derek Jeter) I've already seen this name sprout up in a few places, so it's definitely on the rise.
Grisham- (John Grisham) A few years ago, I would have never though this could be a first name but the rise in baby boys being named Gallagher, Sullivan, and Griffin has me reconsidering.
Lima- (Adriana Lima) Though place names have become tacky, it's not common knowledge that Lima is the capital of Peru-- so you should be safe.
Romo- (Tony Romo) Whether you know him only for his stunt with Jessica Simpson or for his actual football career, the name is what really matters.
Electra- (Carmen Electra) Traditionally a Greek name (Elektra) meaning shining light, this name has the exotic sound but familiar look that is so key when using other languages' names.
Tebow- (Tim Tebow) With his cult following and rising stardom, I suppose it was only a matter of time before babies were being born in his honor. Unfortunately, I have no idea how well this will translate into adulthood.
Keller- (Helen Keller) Already we've seen a rise in popularity with the name Kellan (thanks to Kellan Lutz), so why not Keller?

[gigi_mk]

Out of that list, I like Ryder, Lennon, and Jolie.
Marsden (James Marsden) would be a good one too.

[natural]

I have thought about this concept as well, excepts mines are mostly Old Hollywood.

Dandridge (Dorothy Dandridge)
Carroll (Diahann Carroll)
Kitt (Earth Kitt)
Greer for a girl and Garson for a boy (Greer Garson)
Grier (Pam Grier)
Reese (Della Reese)
Allen (Debbie Allen)
Ross (Diana Ross)
Sinclair (Madge Sinclair)
Foxx (Redd Foxx or Jaime Foxx)
Avery (Margaret Avery)

Monroe (Marilyn Monroe)
Gable (Clark Gable) I even like the name Gable Clark for a little boy.
Rutherford (Ann Rutherford)
Hudson (Rock Hudson)
Burke (Billie Burke)
Grable (Bettey Grable)
Mansfield (Jayne Mansfield)
Francis (Kay Francis)
Keaton (Buster Keaton)
Holden (William Holden)
Burton (Richard Burton)
Douglas (Micheal Douglas)
Welles (Orson Welles)
Wayne (John Wayne)
Valentino (Rudolph Valentino)
Trevor (Claire Tevor)
Stewart (James Stewart)
Tyson (Cicely Tyson)
Waters (Ethel Waters)
Blythe (Betty Blythe)
Flynn (Errol Flynn)
Winfield (Paul Winfield)
Lennix (Harry Lennix)
Astaire (Fred Astaire)
Hopper (Hedda Hopper)
Dana (Viola Dana)
Sebastian (Dorothy Sebastian)
Brent (Evelyn Brent)
Montgomery (Robert Montgomery)
Arden (Eve Arden)
Griffith (Corrine Griffith)
Marx (Groucho, Harpo, and Chico Marx)
Grant (Cary Grant)
Arnaz (Ricky Arnaz)
Fitzgerald (Ella Fitzgerald or Geraldine Fitzgerald)
Baxter (Anne Baxter)
Horne (Lena Horne) Maybe as a middle though.
Crosby (Bing Crosby)
Price (Vincent Price)
Curtis (Tony Curtis)
Quinn (Anthony Quinn) Not my favorite, but I don't want to be bias.
Garfield (John Garfield)
Colman (Ronald Colman)
Dean (James Dean)
Cooper (Gary Cooper)
Tracy (Spencer Tracy)
Lloyd (Harold Lloyd)
Randall (Tony Randall)
Laurel (Stan Laurel)
Lane (Priscilla Lane)
Ritter (Thelma Ritter)
Hope (Bob Hope)
Lewis (Jerry Lewis)
Brennan (Walter Brennan)
Robbins (Gale Robbins)
Crawford (Joan Crawford)
Rainer (Luise Rainer)
Allyson (June Allyson)
Holliday (Judy Holliday)
Charisse (Cyd Charisse)
Reed (Donna Reed)
Turner (Lana Turner or Tina Turner)
Harlow (Jean Harlow)
West (Mae West)
Russell (Jane Russell or Rosalind Russell)
Hayward (Susan Hayward)
Astor (Mary Astor)
Lake (Veronica Lake)
Swanson (Gloria Swanson)
Neal (Patricia Neal)
Hayes (Helen Hayes)
Dunne (Irene Dunne)
Brooks (Louise Brooks)
Garbo (Greta Garbo)
Garland (Judy Garland)
Davis (Bette Davis)
Taylor (Elizabeth Taylor)
Colbert (Claudette Colbert)
Kelly (Grace Kelly)
Rogers (Ginger Rogers)
Hayworth (Rita Hayworth)
Gardener (Ava Gardner)
Oberon (Merle Oberon)
Lamarr (Hedy Lamarr)


I know there are more, but honestly, my freaking hands hurt from so much typing. Hope the list helps.

[pam]

These are very cool -- love them! Keep them coming!

[nat108]

One of my favorites is Astaire. Also love Harlow, Ellington, and Autry

ETA: Forgot to mention Windsor

[goodhope]

I know one couple who almost used Astaire. In the end, they were turned off by how it sounds just like "a stair." They went with Asimov (after Isaac, of course) instead, the dad's favorite author.

Some other options from classic fantasy & science fiction authors:
Bradbury (Ray)
Ellison (Harlan)
Clarke (Arthur C.)
Bova (Ben)
LeGuin (Ursula K.)
Zelanzy (Robert)
Roddenberry (Gene)...well, probably not.
Turtledove (Harry)
Harrison (Harry)
Niven (Larry)
Gibson (William)
Tolkien (J.R.R.)
Martin (George R.R.)
Huxley (Aldous)
Shelley (Mary)
McCaffrey (Anne)
McKinley (Robin)
Verne (Jules) - Jules would be cooler.
Brooks (Terry)
Lewis (C.S.)

[sabrinafair]

These are on my list for the celeb/person:

Beckham [David] - GIRL
Wilder [Gene] - GIRL
Madden [Joel + Benji] - BOY
Bradbury - Ray Bradbury] BOY
Grable (Bettey Grable)
Townsend (Stuart Townsend) - BOY
Tolkien - BOY
Bale [ Christian Bale] - BOY
Perkins [ Anthony Perkins] - BOY

[mkenison]

Love this post! I have a real love for surname names The four at the top for me are Greir, Monroe, Avery and Winslet. I love that Winslet is a new way to get to the super sweet nn Winnie.

[mkenison]

Love this post! I have a real love for surname names The four at the top for me are Greir, Monroe, Avery and Winslet. I love that Winslet is a new way to get to the super sweet nn Winnie.

[teacherma]

Hayworth (Rita) - a nice one for boys
Bergman (Ingrid) - could also see this one having potential
Brando (Marlon)
Gable (Clark)
Chaplin (Charlie)
Garbo (Greta)
Garland (Judy)
Dietrich (Marlene)
Stanwyck (Barbara) -- it's got the trendy y in it!
Gish (Lillian)
Temple (Shirley)
Gardner (Ava)