English Last Names

Larimer is an occupational surname that originally denoted someone who made and sold spur bits, along with other equine hardware. It could be a fitting choice for a child of a horse-enthusiast.

This somewhat snobby-sounding surname popped onto the name map when Mariel Hemingway used it for one of her daughters.

Daniels originated as an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Daniel,' with Daniel deriving from Hebrew and meaning 'God is my judge.' As a masculine given name, Daniels represents the trend of using surnames as first names, which gained momentum in American naming practices during the 20th century. The name conveys strength and tradition while maintaining a contemporary edge with its plural form and final 's'. While less common than simply using Daniel, choosing Daniels as a first name can honor family surnames or create a distinctive alternative to more popular biblical names. The name projects reliability and substance, perhaps influenced by its association with well-established brands and notable bearers of the surname in sports, entertainment, and business.

Sanders is one of the S-ending surnames gaining traction as a first name for boys in the US. It jumped nearly 2000 points in popularity this year.

Glover is a masculine name that originated as an English occupational surname referring to someone who made or sold gloves. This heritage connects it to the tradition of surname-to-first-name transitions that became popular during the 20th century. While relatively uncommon as a first name, Glover carries a distinguished, professional quality with historical depth. Its most notable bearer is likely actor Danny Glover, which has helped maintain recognition of the name. As a first name, Glover peaked in limited usage during the mid-20th century in the United States but remains rare, giving it a distinctive quality. The name's crisp sound and straightforward pronunciation combine with its occupational roots to create a name with understated strength.

Spence is occasionally used as a name all on its own and it has more of a sense of completeness than many nickname-names.

Rogers originated as a Germanic surname meaning 'famous spear' from the elements 'hrod' (fame) and 'ger' (spear). As a masculine given name, it represents a surname-to-first-name transition, a common naming pattern in English-speaking countries. Most prevalent in England and America, Rogers peaked in popularity during the early-to-mid 20th century. The name carries associations with dependability and traditional masculinity, while also connecting to the longer form 'Roger.' Today, Rogers appears more frequently as a family name than a given name, making it somewhat distinctive as a first name choice. Its classical sound and surname quality give it a professional, established character that balances formality with familiarity.

Burrell is a masculine surname that has transitioned to use as a first name. It has Old French and Germanic origins, derived from "borel" meaning "reddish-brown" or possibly referring to coarse cloth. As a surname, it was often occupational, associated with cloth-makers or those with reddish complexions. As a given name, Burrell remains uncommon, giving it distinction and character. The name carries a certain dignity and traditional quality, often appealing to parents seeking uncommon names with historical roots. Burrell has maintained a steady but low profile in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom.

Palin has suddenly become a hot new surname-name given usually to girls. The inspiration can only be former Alaska governor Sarah, though the name Palin is her husband's -- her original surname is Heath. Palin herself is no stranger to the adventurous baby name, as the mother of daughters Bristol, Piper, and Willow, and sons Track and Trig.

Rigby is a rather stiff British surname, which might call to mind the Beatles "Eleanor Rigby" or, from the recent past, Cathy Rigby, the first American woman to win a medal in World Gymnastics competition. The problem with Rigby may be its similarity to the word "rigid."

Dropping the H off hot surnames gets you a whole new name. The trend is multiplying: Hadley becomes Adley, Harley become Arley, Harlow becomes Arlowe, and now Halston becomes Alston.

Although it's more commonly seen as a surname, Haviland is occasionally used as a first name, particularly for girls.

An appealing alternative to Hayden and Hayes, perhaps in homage to Old Hollywood actress Rita Hayward.

Sex doesn't belong in a baby name.

Slightly rugged and windswept, Hindley notably appears in Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, borne by the elder son of the Earnshaw family. The name of two English towns, it combines the Old English elements leah and hind meaning "meadow, clearing" and "female deer" respectively.