Potential Character Surnames Starting With A

A collection of potential surnames for characters. This is the first installment of a series.
  1. 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.
  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. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. Adelin
    • Description:

      Adelin is a feminine name with Germanic roots, though it can occasionally be used for boys in some cultures. It derives from the Germanic element 'adal' meaning 'noble' or 'nobility.' Adelin can be viewed as a variation of Adeline or a feminized form of Adel. The name carries an elegant, vintage quality while maintaining simplicity. Though not widely used in English-speaking countries, it has seen occasional use in France and other European nations. Adelin offers the appeal of aristocratic associations without being pretentious, and its soft ending creates a gentle sound. The name suggests refinement, grace, and a connection to European heritage.
  10. Acey
    • Description:

      Acey is a rare feminine name with several possible origins. It may have developed as a diminutive of names containing the 'ace' sound, such as Asenath or Acacia, or as a nickname for names beginning with 'A.' Alternatively, it could derive from the word 'ace,' suggesting excellence or someone who excels. Acey has never been common in mainstream usage but occasionally appears in Southern United States naming traditions. The name has a breezy, upbeat quality with its short, open-vowel sound structure. Its simplicity and positive connotations give it a friendly, approachable character. In modern contexts, Acey might appeal to parents seeking a distinctive yet unpretentious name with a subtly positive meaning.

  11. Adasha
    • Origin:

      Variation of Adara, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "noble, exalted"
    • Description:

      A pretty and unusual name with a multi-cultural feel — Hebrew, Greek, and a dash of Russian.
  12. Abeni
    • Origin:

      Yoruba, Nigerian
    • Meaning:

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

      Perhaps the most perfect name for a long-awaited daughter.
  13. 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.
  14. Abril
    • Origin:

      Spanish and Catalan variation of April
    • Description:

      This Spanish month name has been quietly used for several years now in the US.
  15. Adell
    • Description:

      Adell is a feminine name with Germanic roots, derived from the noble name Adelaide, meaning 'noble' or 'nobility.' This concise variation maintains the elegant essence of its origin while offering a more modern, streamlined feel. Throughout history, Adell has experienced modest usage, never reaching overwhelming popularity but maintaining a steady presence. In the United States, it saw its highest usage in the early 20th century and has since become less common, giving it a vintage charm. The name carries connotations of refinement and dignity while remaining unpretentious. Its brief, two-syllable structure makes it easily pronounceable across different languages and cultures. Adell balances classic appeal with uniqueness, making it attractive to parents seeking a name that is traditional yet not overused.
  16. Abbot
    • Description:

      Abbot is traditionally a masculine name with ecclesiastical origins, making its appearance as a feminine name quite unusual. Derived from the Aramaic 'abba' meaning 'father,' Abbot historically referred to the head of a monastery. As a surname-turned-first-name, it carries connotations of leadership and spiritual authority. While Abbot has occasionally been used as a boy's name, its use for girls is extremely rare, representing a significant gender-crossing choice. This could reflect the modern trend of repurposing traditionally masculine names for girls. Parents choosing Abbot for a daughter might be attracted to its strength, uniqueness, and the subtle subversion of naming conventions, though they should be aware that it may frequently be assumed to be a boy's name.

  17. Acai
    • Origin:

      Brazilian Portuguese fruit and tree name
    • Description:

      The açai palm is a tree native to Brazil that produces açai berries (the base of those trendy smoothie bowls). Since US birth certificates don't allow for diacritical marks, we are unsure if people are naming their children after the fruit (pronounce ah-sah-EE) or omitting the cedilla and pronouncing it a-KYE.
  18. Adena
    • Description:

      Adena is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins and meanings. In Hebrew, it means 'delicate' or 'slender,' while it can also be connected to an ancient Native American culture called the Adena who lived in the Ohio Valley. In Germanic usage, it may derive from Adina, meaning 'noble' or 'gentle.' The name has a graceful, melodic quality with its soft consonants and flowing vowel sounds. While never extremely common, Adena has maintained consistent if modest usage throughout the decades, appreciated for its subtle elegance and cross-cultural appeal. The name strikes a balance between familiarity and distinctiveness—recognizable but not overused. Its varied etymological roots offer multiple layers of meaning, allowing the name to carry different significant associations depending on cultural context.

  19. 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.
  20. Abrion
    • Description:

      Abrion is a contemporary feminine name with ambiguous origins that likely emerged as a modern creation. It may have developed as a variation of 'Aubrey' or 'Aubrianna,' or possibly as a feminine form of 'Adrian' with creative spelling. The name could also represent a blend of the prefix 'A-' with 'Brian' or be inspired by similar-sounding names like 'Arion' from Greek mythology. Abrion began appearing in American naming records in the late 20th century but remains quite uncommon. The name has a modern, melodious quality that appeals to parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible. With its soft sounds and contemporary feel, Abrion offers uniqueness without straying too far from familiar naming patterns.