Favorite last names

Okay, I write a lot and my characters need last names. And I need an organized place to keep them
  1. James
    • Origin:

      English variation of Jacob, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"
    • Description:

      James is one of the classic Anglo-Saxon names, a stalwart through the ages that is more popular—and yes, stylish—than ever today. It recently came out Number 1 in a poll of America's favorite boys' baby names, and is the most common male name, counting people of all ages, in the US.
  2. Holden
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "hollow valley"
    • Description:

      Holden is a classic case of a name that jumped out of a book and onto birth certificates--though it took quite a while. Parents who loved J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye are flocking to the name of its hero, Holden Caulfield -- not coincidentally in tune with the Hudson-Hayden-Colton field of names.
  3. Montgomery
    • Origin:

      Norman
    • Meaning:

      "man power"
    • Description:

      This image of this distinguished Anglo-Scottish surname, drawn from the French place name of the ancient castle of Saint Foi de Montgomery, is rapidly shifting from fusty and formal to cool. And dashing short form Monty (or Monte) nudges it to cute.
  4. Jameson
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "son of James"
    • Description:

      This is a strong new James varietal, sometimes shared by girls. An original way to honor Grandpa Jim, Jameson is swiftly moving up the charts, entering the Top 100 for the first time ever in 2017. Jameson is one of the hottest boy names starting with J, still the most popular first initial for boys' names. One small caveat: Jameson is also a brand of whiskey.
  5. Lee
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "pasture, meadow"
    • Description:

      A name that has a bit of a shouldn't-I-be-a-middle-name sound, though still in use as a first for both genders. Lee might be a good choice if you want something that sounds at once traditional yet modern, unisex but not newly-minted.
  6. Spurgeon
    • Origin:

      Norse
    • Meaning:

      "little branch"
    • Description:

      Spurgeon entered the mainstream name lexicon when it was chosen for their son by Ben Seward and wife Jessa Duggar, from the US reality show 19 Kids and Counting starring their large family.
  7. Winter
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      The girls have dibs on Spring, Summer, and Autumn, leaving this name evocative of snowy landscapes as the one possible seasonal choice for boys. And naturally, it's one of the most obvious names for winter babies.
  8. Olsen
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian
    • Meaning:

      "Olaf's son"
    • Description:

      An alternative to Oliver, Orson, or Colson, this Scandinavian surname is no longer tied exclusively to the well-publicized twins, Ashley and Mary-Kate. Instead, it fits in with other surname-style choices. Meaning "son of Ole" or "Olaf's son", it may further be interpreted as "son of the ancestor's descendant".
  9. Austen
    • Origin:

      Literary surname and shortened form of Augustine, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "great, magnificent"
    • Description:

      Parents who love the great English novelist Jane Austen may choose this spelling of the popular name Austin to honor the author of Emma and Pride and Prejudice.
  10. Knight
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      " a mounted man-at-arms serving a feudal superior"
    • Description:

      Knight (as opposed to Night) is a name clad in shiny armor. This high-ranking word name was introduced by singers Kelis and Nas. Knight might join brothers King, Royal, and Noble in a new definition of royal baby names.
  11. Rowe
    • Origin:

      Variation of Rowan or Roland, or English surname
    • Meaning:

      "rowan tree, little redhead; famous land, famous and brave; row"
    • Description:

      With the stylish Ro- sound of Rowan, Ronan, and Roman, with the surname style of Brody, Banks, and Brooks, Rowe is a succinct, one syllable name to watch out for. A variation of Rowan or Roland, it may also be an English last name referring to a row of hedges or houses.
  12. Moody
    • Origin:

      Surname name
    • Description:

      Moody would work great as the name of Snow White's lost eighth dwarf friend, but we can't recommend it as a first name IRL. It was the last name of Harry Potter character Mad-Eye Moody, played by Brenden Gleason in the movies; his given name was Alastor. The bond credit rating company Moody's is likewise named for the surname of its founder, John Moody.
  13. Peterson
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "son of Peter"
    • Description:

      To honor an ancestral Peter.
  14. Swenson
    • Description:

      Swenson is primarily a surname of Scandinavian origin that has occasionally transitioned to use as a masculine given name. Derived from the patronymic naming pattern common in Sweden and other Nordic countries, it literally means 'son of Sven.' The original name Sven comes from Old Norse and means 'youth' or 'young warrior.' As a first name, Swenson represents a modern trend of using family surnames as given names, which began gaining popularity in the United States during the late 20th century. This practice often honors ancestral heritage or family connections. While relatively uncommon as a first name, Swenson carries a strong, distinctive sound with clear Nordic roots that appeal to parents seeking names with historical depth and cultural significance.
  15. Jennings
    • Smith
      • Bubar
        • Dowly
          • Geddis
            • Helton

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