Potential Character Surnames Starting With A

A collection of potential surnames for characters. This is the first installment of a series.
  1. Abilene
    • Origin:

      English from Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "grass"
    • Description:

      Abilene is a rarely used place name, mentioned as such in the New Testament, that combines the cowboy spunk of the Texas city with the midwestern morality of the Kansas town where Dwight D. Eisenhower spent his boyhood. Abilene is a much more untrodden path to the nickname Abbie/Abbie than the Top 10 Abigail.
  2. Adhara
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "virgins"
    • Description:

      Adhara is the name of one of the brightest stars in the sky. Also known as Adara, this name is perfectly suitable for a child.
  3. Adelheid
    • Origin:

      German and Dutch form of Adelheidis, German
    • Meaning:

      "noble, nobility"
    • Description:

      The ancient German name Adelheidis gave rise to both Adelaide and Adelheid. While Adelaide is more popular and better known internationally, Adelheid is still used occasionally in Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia. The German pronunciation is not that different from Adelaide, with a soft h and a long I sound instead of a long A in the last syllable.
  4. Aderyn
    • Origin:

      Cornish
    • Meaning:

      "bird"
    • Description:

      Aderyn, like cousin Elowen, may have found her moment: Aderyn makes an original full name that gets you to the cute and trendy nickname Addie. Just remember to put the emphasis on the second syllable.
  5. Adalet
    • Origin:

      Turkish
    • Meaning:

      "justice"
    • Description:

      A Turkish virtue name, connected with the late author Adalet Ağaoğlu, that may benefit from its similarity to Adalyn and Adelaide.
  6. Ace
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "one, unity"
    • Description:

      Ace is a retro nickname most often used for boys, as in Ace Ventura. While some celebrities have adopted it for their sons, there's nothing that makes this name exclusively male.
  7. Adley
    • Origin:

      Variation of Hadley
    • Description:

      Adley made the Top 1000 at Number 735 in 2012 on the heels of sister name Hadley, only to vanish again in 2013. But now, with the popularity of Adelaide and Adeline, it has leaped upward and entered the Top 1000 once again. Adley feels in step with name trends of the moment, but will it survive the ages? Other such mashups have not.
  8. Abelone
    • Origin:

      Danish form of Apollonia
    • Meaning:

      "destroyer, strength, father of light"
    • Description:

      A Danish name relating back to the Greek Apollo.
  9. Adler
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "eagle"
    • Description:

      This common German-Jewish surname is a fast riser among boys but lately has been picked up by parents of girls as well. Notable figures with the surname include designer Jonathan Adler, Freud contemporary Alfred Adler, and decorator Frances Adler Elkins and her brother, architect David Adler.
  10. Adna
    • Description:

      Adna is a feminine name with ancient roots and cross-cultural significance. In Hebrew, it means 'pleasure' or 'delight,' while in Bosnian it's associated with 'paradise.' The name appears in the Bible as a male name belonging to several minor figures, but in modern usage, it's more commonly given to girls. Adna has maintained a consistent presence across several cultures, particularly in the Balkans and Middle East. Its brevity and melodic quality make it accessible across language barriers. The name's simple two-syllable structure and soft consonants give it a gentle, flowing quality. Despite its ancient origins, Adna feels contemporary and distinctive without being difficult to pronounce or spell.
  11. Aberdeen
    • Origin:

      Scottish place-name
    • Description:

      This undiscovered Scottish port city name has a nice, upbeat feel and lots of good nickname possibilities.
  12. Adamaris
    • Description:

      Adamaris is a feminine name with Latin and Greek origins, blending elements that create a name of distinctive beauty. It combines forms of 'Adam,' the biblical first man whose name relates to 'earth' or 'to make,' with 'maris,' meaning 'of the sea.' This harmonious combination creates a meaningful name suggesting someone who bridges earth and ocean. Popular in Spanish-speaking cultures, Adamaris gained wider recognition in the United States through Mexican actress Adamari López. The name offers a melodic quality with its alternating consonants and vowels, while its meaning evokes natural beauty and adaptability. For parents seeking a feminine name with multicultural appeal, Adamaris provides both poetic sound and substantial meaning.
  13. Aday
    • Description:

      Aday is an uncommon feminine name with several possible origins. In Canary Islands culture, it appears as a male name of Guanche (indigenous) origin, while in other contexts it may be a variation of Adair or a modern invented name. As a feminine name, it's extremely rare, giving it a distinctive quality. The name has a contemporary sound with its short, two-syllable structure and trendy 'ay' ending. Some suggest it might relate to the Hebrew 'Adah' meaning 'ornament' or 'beauty.' Though uncommon in most regions, Aday has a bright, fresh sound that appeals to parents seeking a simple yet unconventional name. Its brevity makes it easy to pronounce across many languages while maintaining its uniqueness.

  14. Adine
    • Origin:

      Variation of Aideen or Adina
    • Description:

      Spelled this way, Adine could be a relative of either the Irish Aideen, which means jealousy, or the Arabic Adina, meaning slender. We'll go with the slender.
  15. Aayat
    • Description:

      Aayat is a feminine name of Arabic origin meaning 'signs' or 'miracles.' In Islamic tradition, the word refers to verses of the Quran, giving the name profound religious significance. This spelling variation, with its double 'a,' adds a distinctive touch to the more traditional Ayat. The name combines spiritual depth with a melodic quality that flows beautifully when spoken. Aayat has gained modest popularity among Muslim families globally, though it remains relatively uncommon in Western countries. Parents choosing this name often appreciate its connection to faith and its meaning suggesting that a child is a divine blessing or miracle. The name carries cultural richness while remaining accessible in pronunciation.
  16. Abeni
    • Origin:

      Yoruba, Nigerian
    • Meaning:

      "we prayed for her and she arrived"
    • Description:

      Perhaps the most perfect name for a long-awaited daughter.
  17. Abbey
    • Origin:

      English word name or short form of Abigail
    • Description:

      Abbey might sound exactly like the popular Abigail nickname Abby or Abbie, but spelled this way it is also a churchy word name with a Gothic feel. But hearing it, no one will know the difference.
  18. Adelais
    • Description:

      Adelais is a feminine name of Old German origin, representing a beautiful medieval variant of Adelaide. The name means 'noble kind' or 'of noble type,' combining 'adal' (noble) and 'heid' (kind, type). Popular among European nobility during the Middle Ages, Adelais carries an aristocratic, vintage charm. The name fell from common usage by the Renaissance but has seen occasional revivals among those appreciating historical names. Its pronunciation (AD-eh-lays) offers a pleasing rhythm, while its spelling evokes images of medieval courts and chivalry. Though rare today, Adelais provides a distinctive alternative to the more common Adelaide or Adeline, appealing to parents seeking names with historical depth and feminine elegance.

  19. Adair
    • Origin:

      English and Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "shallow place in a river near oaks"
    • Description:

      This undiscovered unisex name has lots of flair. It was first noticed as a girl's name, starting in the 1980's, on the long-running daytime drama Search for Tomorrow, with the character Adair McCleary, who had ahead-of-their-time brothers named brothers Hogan, Cagney and Quinn. But since Adair has yet to find many takers, it would make a fresh and appealing choice.
  20. Aamani
    • Description:

      Aamani is a feminine name of Indian origin, primarily found in Telugu-speaking regions of South India. The name means 'autumn season' or 'cloud' in Telugu, carrying associations with tranquility and natural beauty. In some interpretations, Aamani can also represent peace and happiness. The double 'aa' beginning gives the name a distinctive appearance while creating a soft, flowing pronunciation. Though traditional in Indian contexts, Aamani remains relatively uncommon globally, making it an attractive option for parents seeking a name with cultural significance and uniqueness. The name's connection to nature and its melodic quality have contributed to its growing appeal beyond South Asian communities in recent years.