Last Names That Are Adorable First Names

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.

Updates Lindsey for the 21st century.

Legitimizes the newly coined Denim, as does the Scottish place-name Denholm (both pronounced DEN-um).

Roy, Royce, Royal, and Rory are all in the US Top 1000, where they join a plethora of surname-inspired names ending in -son. Royson is a new consideration, with a smart, handsome feel to it, combined with a touch of the floral.

This surname-style name may appeal to those who like the nickname Huck but find the literary long form Huckleberry too much for real-life usage.

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.

Connelly is a rollicking and rare example of the popular surname genre that may work even better for girls. A huge update on Colleen.

A novel way to get to the nicknames Ash or Ford

Up-and-coming surname name that may evoke thoughts of ballet dancer Misty Copeland or one of the many towns called Copeland.

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.

With Leon and Leo both popular options, Lionel on the rise, and other lion-inspired names such as Ariel and Leandro gathering attention, Lyons might work for a contemporary baby.

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.

Selby, a rarely heard British surname, feels sleeker and more distinctive than Shelby. Todd Selby, known primarily by his last name, is a hip photographer of interiors.

Luxury baby name associated with Jacques Cartier's eponymous jewelry company.

Lathan is a surname recorded as relating to the towns of Layton or Latham and meaning, depending on its derivation, barn or leek farm or farm by the water. As a first name, it's reminiscent of the popular Nathan.

A Spanish occupational surname with the international flair of Mateo and the charm of Monty, Montero was originally given to those who worked as assistants and beaters for hunting parties in the mountains.

The Vanderbilts were America's wealthiest family for almost a century, giving this name a strong association with luxury and industry. The Vanderbilts got their surname from their hometown in the Netherlands, De Bilt (meaning "low hill"). The genitive Dutch word van means "from".

Part of the next generation of preppy H-beginning surnames. Once Harrison, Hudson, and Holden are no longer fresh, expect to hear more little boys being called Hughes, Hutch, and Henderson on the playground.

A fresh take on Jessica, Jessel is currently borne in the public eye by Jessel Taank, a Real Housewife of New York City.

Associated with two prominent American families — New York's Stuyvesant family, for which streets and parks on Manhattan's East Side are named, and the Fish family, who used it as a given name. Stuyvesant Fish, the first president of the Illinois Central Railroad, was named after his paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Stuyvesant.