Last Names That Are Adorable First Names

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

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.

An old-fashioned term for a coal miner, or nowadays, a sister to Harper and Piper.

This single syllable, plural-sounding name evokes ideas of travel, of standing and looking up to different skies. With its sharp sounds and sweeping meaning, it feels like it could fit in with Ocean and Atlas, or with Kai and Silas. Plus, while the Sky- names are currently more popular for girls in the US, the surname style of Skyes could perhaps lend it a slightly more masculine quality, as in the case of Brooks vs. Brooke.

Ames is that jewel of a name that's simple and familiar while at the same time being unusual and rare. With gender neutral surname names ending in S trending today -- think Brooks, Wells, Oakes -- Ames can make a perfect update on Amy or Amanda.

Surname-sounding unisex cousin of Peyton is gaining in popularity, especially for girls.

Makes Donna into a cool twenty-first-century unisex Irish surname.

Notable British surname associated with fashion designer Vivienne.

Sommers is a surname-y spin on the word name Summer, made all the more fashionable by the final S. If Hayes, Rivers, and Brooks can be trendy gender-neutral names, why not Sommers?

This preppy alternative to Gen Z favorite Summer has the potential to be a big surname hit for girls. It recently gained media attention from Instagram model Sumner Stroh.

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.

As surname names for girls become more popular, we could see Catesby catching on among style-conscious parents. Bonus: it easily shortens to the girlish nickname Cate.

Royal and Rory are both in the US Top 1000 for girls where they join a number of surname-inspired names ending in -son, from long-time favorite Madison to the newer Emerson. The yet to rank Royson could be a new consideration with its rosy feel, but tougher edge.

Popularized for girls after Kirsten Dunst portrayed high school cheerleading captain Torrance Shipman in the 2000 movie Bring it On. Tori is an easy nickname.

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.

Sex doesn't belong in a baby name.

A German surname, Tessin is drawn from several places in or near the Mecklenburg region of northeastern Germany. This rare first name can work for either sex.

Townes entered baby name consciousness — as a girl name, at least — in 2024 when Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma chose it for their daughter, Townes Meadow. Townes is a more established choice for boys, among whom it's often associated with the late musician Townes Van Zandt.