Last Names That Are Adorable First Names
- Kason
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Jason with a K or Kase with an N or Karson without the R. Kason is one of many similar names that are extremely popular right now.
- Anniston
Origin:
English surname and American place nameMeaning:
"Anis' town; Annie's town"Description:
A name with plenty of celebrity glamor and contemporary flair, Anniston has a variety of origins. On one hand, it's a place name, deriving from a city in Alabama of the same name. Founded in the late 19th century by Samuel Noble and Daniel Tyler, it was named in honor of the latter's daughter-in-law, Annie Tyler.
- Keenan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"ancient"Description:
This name of three ancient saints, one Wayans brother, and an NFL wide receiver makes an energetic choice.
- Talcott
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"cottage near the lake"Description:
Similar in style or sound to Prescott, Maverick and Beckett, this far rarer name feels formal and strong. Notably borne by socialist Talcott Parsons, nicknames Tal or Otto might soften it a little. Alcott is a similar option with a literary ties.
- Levitt
Origin:
English or German Jewish surnameMeaning:
"place where yew trees grow; Levite"Description:
As Levi becomes more common, we're noticing parents turn to more creative alternatives and Levitt is one such option. Similar in sound to the aforementioned Biblical name, it may also appeal to those who like Everett, Beckett, and Truett.
- Tierney
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendent of a lord"Description:
An uncommon Irish-accented surname that seems particularly well suited to a girl. Tierney Sutton is a well-known jazz singer. Tierney, in its original Tiarnach form, was the name of several saints. It can also join the ranks of Old Hollywood names, via the haunting actress Gene Tierney. ER actress Maura Tierney is a current surname bearer.
- Bryant
Origin:
Variation of Brian, IrishMeaning:
"strong, virtuous, and honorable"Description:
Bryant has a longer history as a first name in the US than its father name Brian, ranking among the Top 1000 since the list began in 1880 while Brian only jumped on in 1925.
- Yancy
Origin:
American variation of Jansen, Dutch, Native AmericanMeaning:
"son of Jan; yankee"Description:
Yancy has two separate American origins — first as the Native American term for "Yankee," and second as the Americanized variation of the common Dutch surname Jansen. Jan being the Dutch form of John, Yancy could work to honor anyone in your life with a John-related name.
- Tallis
Origin:
English, Old FrenchMeaning:
"clearing of woodland"Description:
An English surname derived from the Old French taillis, this nature inspired choice could be an alternative to Wallis or Travis. Tallis appears as the surname of the central characters in Ian McEwan's book, Atonement and the subsequent film.
- Hale
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"someone who lives in a hollow; strong and hearty"Description:
This name projects a sense of well-being, as in "hale and hearty", while also having a nature-adjacent meaning, referring to someone who lives near a hollow, a nook, or a remote area of land. Rhyming word hail adds a hint of storminess to the name too.
- Hopper
Origin:
English or DutchMeaning:
"leaper, dancer; hop grower"Description:
Sean and Robin Wright Penn chose this name for their son to honor their friend Dennis Hopper; others might associate it with the painter Edward. Couldn't be more spirited.
- Tyson
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"firebrand"Description:
As parents were finding too many Tylers at the neighborhood playground, they began looking to Tyson as an alternative, no longer concerned with possible connections to Mike Tyson or Tyson chicken.
- Drexel
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"to turn"Description:
Drexel is an occupational surname but the original meaning of what a person who "turned" for a living actually did is unclear: It may mean turning the soil or making hay or spinning cloth or creating decorative objects. With the rise of the similar-sounding Dexter, Drexel might catch on.
- Henley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"high meadow"Description:
The name of a British town on the Thames that hosts a famous regatta. Henley is one of the English baby names soaring in popularity for both boys and girls in the US, but is now much more popular for girls. In the UK, however, it is almost unused for girls, with just 3 female babies named Henley as recently as 2014.
- Braden
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"wide valley"Description:
One of the trendiest of the new two-syllable boys’ names that have swept the country in the past few years, including the rhyming Aidan, Caden, Kaden, and Jaden. It's been falling on the US Top 1000 lately but it is still among the most popular contemporary English names for boys..
- Mabry
Origin:
Variation of Mayberry, English and IrishMeaning:
"mud hill"Description:
Cute and eminently wearable surname name for girls.
- King
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"monarch"Description:
King is a name that sends a mixed message. While some might think of it as more fitting for a canine, others see it as a strong name with offbeat style and a full court of rich associations, from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Elvis.
King Vidor was an important early Hollywood director; King Camp Gillette invented the safety razor.
If it's king names you're after that aren't King itself, see our list of Names with Royal Meanings or other lists and blogs on royal names.
- Field
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
More unusual than Forest or Forrest, Field is a nature name that is simple, evocative, and fresh--sort of the male equivalent of Meadow.Field and Fields are both relatively common surnames, noted bearers including department store owner Marshall Field, poet Eugene Field (Wynken, Blynken and Nod) and actress Sally. Those with the plural include W.C. Fields, cookie company founder Debbi, and entertainers Gracie and Kim Fields.
- Bauer
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"farmer, tiller of the soil"Description:
A surname name with an occupational background, but although it derives from the German language it is not used as a first name there as it has pejorative connotations – sometimes used as slag for an uneducated person. In the US, a prominent association is the character Jack Bauer from 24.
- Leverett
Origin:
English, FrenchMeaning:
" beloved counsel; young hare"Description:
An undiscovered surname option that resembles the trendy choice Everett and boasts the stylish nicknames Levi, Rett, and Lev.
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