Last Names That Are Adorable First Names
- Epes
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"aspen tree; red; shriek"Description:
Epes is often considered a variation of the surname Epps, which typically refers to the aspen tree, from the Old English word æpse. Some branches of Epes may have derived from the Middle English given name Eppe — Eoppa in Old English — from a root meaning "red". It has also been proposed the Eppe came from the Old Norse Øpi, meaning "cry out" or "shriek".
- Kendrix
Origin:
Variation of Kendrick, English and ScottishMeaning:
"royal ruler, champion; home ruler"Description:
While Kendrix is predominantly used on boys — likely owing to its musical namesakes, Kendrick Lamar and Jimi Hendrix — the most noteworthy Kendrix (as yet) is in fact Kendrix Morgan, also known as the Pink Galaxy Ranger from the Power Rangers franchise.
- Vanderbilt
Origin:
Dutch surnameMeaning:
"from the low hill"Description:
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".
- Rockefeller
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"from Rockenfeld"Description:
American powerhouse family name with a classy-yet-tough vibe.
- Hammett
Origin:
English surnameDescription:
A possibility for fans of the mystery writer, but most parents would prefer Dashiell.
- Loew
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"lion"Description:
This variation of the surname Loeb works even better than the original as a first name, though any child named Loew will inevitably have to endure a lifetime's worth of "high and...." jokes. Other leonine options: Leopold or Lionel.
- Mccall
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"son of Cathal"Description:
Effortlessly cool and preppy, but with a touch of outdoorsy ruggedness, McCall is a yet to be discovered last name choice. Unexpected, but enough like McKenzie, Mckinley, Nicole, and Callie that it doesn't sound outlandish, it is currently a gender-neutral choice in the US, given to 15 girls and 13 boys in a recent year.
- Storms
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"a disturbance it the atmosphere involving lightning, thunder, wind and rain"Description:
A tumultuous nature-inspired option, Storms is A bold name that conjures up imagery of fork lightning and heavy clouds, awe-inspiring in both an impressive and formidable way. This could feel like quite a heavy association to carry off, but the word itself has a gentle quality, in tune with Story, Cam, or Rory.
- Swayze
Origin:
English from GermanMeaning:
"Swiss"Description:
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.
- Bettany
Origin:
English surname and herb nameDescription:
A jaunty English surname which may derive from "betony", the name of a pretty purple-flowering shrub. A famous bearer is British historian and broadcaster Bettany Hughes.
- Lyndall
Origin:
English, South AfricanMeaning:
"linden or lime tree valley; lake in the valley"Description:
Lynda and Linden meet Kendall and Randall in this surname-style choice, familiar in South African, owing to its use by author and activist Olive Schreiner in her 1883 novel, The Story of an African Farm. In the book, Lyndall is borne by a female character and drawn from the maiden name of Schreiner's mother.
Also spelled as Lyndell and Lyndal, Lyndall is likely an English surname name meaning "lime tree valley" or "linden tree valley", giving it an an outdoorsy feel. Alternatively, however, Lyn may be drawn from the Welsh word for lake, lending it the meaning "lake in the valley".
- O'brien
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendant of Brian"Description:
The use of O-prefixes could create the next wave of Irish-inflected names, offering an innovative way of honoring a relative with the old-fashioned moniker Brian. On Downton Abbey, the surname O'Brien was heard so often, it began to seem like a first.
- Landis
Origin:
German surnameMeaning:
"highwayman"Description:
Preppy surname name that originated as a nickname for a highwayman.
- Larimar
Origin:
Gemstone nameDescription:
The discoverer of this lovely bright blue gemstone named it after his daughter Larissa and the sea (mar), hence Larimar. A lovely name which could be a great alternative to Larissa, Lara and other more commonly used Lar- names.
- Voll
Origin:
Norwegian, GermanMeaning:
"one who lives by the meadow; people"Description:
A Norwegian nature name and surname, Voll derived from the Old Norse vǫllr translating to "meadow, field".
As a German name, it originates from volk or Fulco, meaning "people", although a more literal translation of modern German would be "full".
- Essex
Origin:
English place-name and surnameDescription:
Sex doesn't belong in a baby name.
- Gables
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"triangular hill; triangular wall under a roof"Description:
With Gabriel, Gage, Abel, and Gael in the US Top 1000, and the Anne of Green Gables a well-beloved book series and the inspiration for Anne with an E, Gables could make an off-beat but familiar choice. While Gable is given to a small handful of boys each year, Gables has yet to catch on.
- Dupont
Origin:
French surnameMeaning:
"of the bridge"Description:
This French last name is often written as Dupont, but can also be rendered as Du Pont, DuPont, duPont, or du Pont. In the US, it's commonly associated with the du Pont family — one of the wealthiest old money American families whose fortune arose from manufacturing gunpowder.
- Radburn
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"reedy stream"Description:
Upper-crusty surname name.
- Saunders
Origin:
English, Scottish surname, variation of SandersMeaning:
"defending men"Description:
Preppier and less politically-charged than its source name, Sanders