Last Names That Are Adorable First Names

Mccrae

Scottish

"son of Rath; son of grace and prosperity"

Stylized as McCrae, this attractive Scottish surname-name is found in Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove , as the surname of hero Augustus/Gus McCrae. Also spelled MacCrae or McRay among other…

Furman

Variation of Fermin, Basque, Spanish

"strong"

Furman is a surname-y spin on the Basque saint's name Fermin, the patron saint of Pamplona, where Hemingway famously ran with the bulls.

Mckinley

Scottish

"son of the fair hero"

New Presidential name, if you're ready to move beyond Lincoln and Jefferson. At the turn of the last century, during the original McKinley's heyday, as a first name it almost reached the Top 100.

Mellon

English and Irish surname

"from Meulan; descendant of Meallán"

Pittsburgh's Mellon family — founders of Mellon Financial Corporation and Carnegie Mellon University, among other things — gives their surname old money panache. They are Irish by heritage, giving…

Mercer

French occupational name

"a merchant"

Mercer is an attractive possibility which is an occupational name that doesn't sound like one. Mercer and its cool, sophisticated short form Merce project a super creative image via their artistic…

Merrick

German, Welsh

"fame, power, ruler; dark-skinned"

Maverick meets Merritt in this strong sounding choice, which has its origins in Welsh, German, and Scottish. Notably borne by dancer Merrick Hanna, comedian and presenter Merrick Watts, and by…

Messer

German surname

"knife; cutler"

Messer has trendy surname style, but a "messy" first syllable and sharp imagery may give some prospective parents pause. Reality star Stassi Schroeder named her son Messer Rhys in 2023, brother to…

Howlan

English or Irish surname

"land with hills"

Howlan is an uncommon surname-turned-first credited with a range of derivations and meanings. Its most likely roots are in Old English or Irish. It may be derived from the surname Howland, which…

Morrison

English

"son of Morris"

Morrison is one of the more uncommon patronymics; it could be used to honor an ancestral Morris, or one of the well-known surnamed Morrisons: Toni, Jim or Van.

Wellington

English surname from place name

"people living in the hamlet in the cleared area near the temple"

Wellington is a tony-sounding English surname turned baby name by pregnancy guru Rosie Pope, who calls her son Wells for short. It's also the middle name of one of the Sweet Home sextuplets, Blu…

Revere

English and French word name and surname

Revere is a word name meaning to admire or esteem, an appealing meaning. In the USA, however, Revere attracts further connotation as the surname of Paul Revere, one of the celebrated patriots of the…

Layden

Layden is a modern masculine name with likely English or Irish origins. It may have evolved as a variant of Leiden (a Dutch city name) or as a variation of surnames like Leyden or Laydon. The name…

Westwood

English surname

"dweller by the west wood"

A unique alternative to the West- names that are suddenly everywhere — like Weston, Westley, and West itself. Westwood lends itself to two stylish nicknames, West and Woods.

Wharton

English

"farm near the river"

Wharton is a rather stiff banker name that becomes creative as a middle name choice for lovers of the novels of writer Edith.

Wheelock

English surname

"winding river"

As a given name, Wheelock has been passed down to generations of the Whitney family — descendants of Eli Whitney, creator of the cotton gin. The first Wheelock Whitney — known as Wheels — was named…