Middle Names, Surnames, and Nicknames
American Last Names as First Names
Across 10 pages
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Willis
Diminutive of William, German
"resolute protection"
A common surname that was popular as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th century, Willis dropped off the US Top 1000 back in the early 90s, just as alternative William diminutive, Liam,…
Ray
Diminutive of Rachel or Raymond; word name
Most female Rays used to spell their names Rae, but now the Ray Charles, ray-of-sunshine way is cool for both genders. Ray was used for 26 baby girls last year in the US - compared to over 300 boys.…
Watkins
Watkins originated as an English and Welsh surname derived from the medieval given name 'Wat' or 'Watt,' a diminutive of Walter, combined with the suffix '-kins' meaning 'little son of.' As a given…
Olson
Olson is primarily a surname of Scandinavian origin, derived from 'Olsen' which literally means 'son of Ole' or 'son of Olaf.' Ole and Olaf are ancient Norse names meaning 'ancestor's descendant' or…
Carroll
Carroll as a feminine name derives from the Irish surname Ó Cearbhaill, meaning 'fierce warrior' or 'champion'. Though historically used for both genders, it has more commonly been masculine in…
Duncan
Scottish
"dark warrior"
Duncan is jaunty, confident, and open, a Scottish royal name that's brimming with friendly charm and makes it into our golden circle of names that are neither too popular nor too strange. Popularity…
Hart
English
"stag"
Hart could be the hero of a romantic novel, but on the other hand, it's short, straightforward, and strong sounding. The most famous bearer of the name was tragic poet Hart (born Harold) Crane, but…
Stewart
Scottish
"steward"
This ancient royal Scottish name and its equally-correct spelling French variation Stuart had a brief vogue in midcentury America--it was Number 286 in 1955--dropped off the list completely in the…
Lane
English
"a small roadway or path"
Lane is a unisex name equally accessible to boys and girls. Breezy, cool and contemporary, it might equally put in mind country lanes and banks of wildflowers. As a word name, Lane means "small…
Reyes
Spanish
"kings, royalty"
This regal Spanish name combines several of today's top trends: names that end in S, last names that can also be first names, royal-sounding names, and unisex options. It has a long history of use in…
Fox
Animal name
Fox is one animal name backed by a longish tradition, and then popularized via the lead character Fox Mulder on X Files . Fox is simple, sleek, and a little bit wild, and could make an interesting…
Diaz
Spanish from Latin
"days"
Perfect example of a surname that would work well as a first.
Armstrong
English and Scottish surname
"strong arms"
Last name occasionally used as a first, can be seen as a Lance Armstrong athlete-hero name.
Weaver
Occupational name
Weaver, which made an appearance as a first name on the U.S. Top 1000 in the late 19th century and then vanished, may rise again along with its occupational brethren, from already-popular choices…
Turner
English
"works with a lathe"
Turner is a name that's both preppy and painterly, recalling the exquisite watercolor seascapes of British painter J.M.W. Turner. An occupational name in the Taylor-Carter mold, Turner is a more…
Sims
English surname derived from Simon
"the listener"
Sims is a medieval English surname, also found in Ireland and Scotland, that has many variations all deriving from the Hebrew Biblical name Simon. Sims is a simple, straightforward, yet…
Evans
Welsh surname
"the Lord is gracious"
Evans is an historic Welsh patronymic surname, derived from Evan, which is a form of John. With Evan's popularity in the U.S. and the U.K. -- it's a Top 50 names -- the stylish s-ending version may…
Roberts
Roberts functions primarily as a surname derived from the personal name Robert, meaning 'bright fame' from Germanic elements 'hrod' (fame) and 'beraht' (bright). As a masculine first name, Roberts…
Hall
English occupational name
"worker at the hall"
A simple, self-possessed, somewhat serious surname, which might work better as a middle.
Wheeler
English occupational name
"wheel maker"
Wheeler is one of the most energetic of the newly stylish occupational names, all those 'e's giving it a friendly, freewheeling sound. Wheeler has some historical cred via the nineteenth Vice…