Have you noticed an uptick in parents using last names as first names, especially with boys? If so, then you’ve identified one of the biggest baby name trends of the 21st century.
Last names as first names are extremely popular among boys — but it works for girls, too!
Last names, also known as surnames, originated as a way to identify individuals beyond their given names, which were often common and repeated frequently within certain communities and cultures.
But at some point in history, parents started to look at traditional last names in a different light.
READ MORE: These baby girl names inspired by animals are wild, charming and impossible to forget
In fact, a lot of old last names, such as those that end in -son and -er, are now some of the most popular baby names in the US, according to annual data released by the U.S. Social Security Administration.
Just look at the name Harper — an occupational surname.
Harper, traditionally given to someone who played or made harps, was the 12th most popular girl’s name in the U.S. in 2024, per the SSA, while names like Riley, Madison, Paisley and Addison also ranked high.
If you’re interested in using surnames as first names for your future daughter, then this list is for you!
Quinn — Irish surname derived from Old Irish word conn, meaning “sense” or “reason.”
Sterling — Scottish surname derived from the city of Stirling, but also means “excellent” in English.
Emerson — English surname meaning “son of Emery,” with Emery meaning “great ruler.”
Addison — English surname meaning “son of Adam,” with Adam meaning “man” or “to be red.”
Mackenzie — Scottish surname derived from Old Irish word cain, meaning “handsome” or “beautiful.”
Winslett — English surname meaning “joyful dwelling” or “winding stream.”
Harper — English surname traditionally given to someone who played or made harps.
Delaney — English surname meaning “from the alder grove” or Irish surname meaning “descendent of Dubhshláine.”
Ellis — English surname derived from the name Elias, meaning “my God is Yahweh.”
Piper — English surname traditionally given to some who played or made pipes (flutes).
Blair — Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic word blar, meaning “plain,” “field” or “battlefield.”
Riley — Irish surname from the given name Raghailleach, but also means “rye clearing” in English.
Avery — English surname meaning “elf ruler” (via Alberich) or “elf council” (via Alfred).
Madison — English surname meaning “son of Matthew,” with Matthew meaning “gift of God.”
Allison — English surname meaning “son of Alan” or “son of Alexander,” but also a diminutive of Alice.
Adair — English surname derived from the given name Edgar, meaning “wealthy spear.”
Ashley — English surname meaning “ash tree clearing.”
Bailey — English surname derived from the Middle English word baili, meaning “bailiff.”
Bellamy — English surname derived from the French phrase bel ami, meaning “beautiful friend.”
Cassidy — Irish surname from the given name Caiside, meaning “curly haired.”
Brooks — English surname traditionally given to someone who lived on or near a brook.
Reagan — Irish surname from the given name Riagan, meaning “little king.”
Kennedy — Irish surname from the given name Cennetig, meaning “armoured head.”
Kendall — English surname from the city of Kendale in England meaning “valley on the river Kent.”
Hadley — English surname from a place name meaning “heather field” in Old English.
Hayden — English surname from place names meaning “hay valley” or “hay hill” in Old English.
Harlow — English surname from a place name meaning “rock army” or “rocky hill” in Old English.
Everly — English surname from a place name meaning “boar clearing” or “boar woodland” in Old English.
Monroe — Scottish surname meaning “from the mouth of the Roe,” referring to a river in Northern Ireland.
McKenna — Irish and Scottish surname from the given name Cionaodh, meaning “born of respect.”
Palmer — English surname meaning “pilgrim,” but also means “palm tree” in Latin.
Peyton — English surname from a place name meaning “Paega’s town.”
Taylor — English surname traditionally given to someone who worked as a tailor.
Courtney — English surname from the French place name Courtenay, meaning “short.”
Campbell — Scottish surname meaning “crooked mouth” in Gaelic.
Hunter — English occupational surname traditionally given to a hunter.
Paige — English surname meaning “servant” or “page” in Middle English, also means “little boy” in Greek.
Sutton — English surname from a place name meaning “south town” in Old English.
Hayley — English surname from a place name meaning “hay clearing” in Old English.
Kelsey — English surname meaning “Cenel’s island,” with Cenel meaning “fierce” in Old English.
Leslie — Scottish surname from the Gaelic phrase leas celyn, meaning “garden of holly.”
Lindsay — Scottish surname meaning “Lincoln island,” with Lincoln meaning “lake colony.”
Mallory — English surname from the French word maleure, meaning “unfortunate.”
Whitney — English surname from a place name meaning “white island” in Old English.
Ainsley — English surname from a place name meaning “solitary clearing” in Old English.
Blake — English surname from the Old English word blaec, meaning “black,” or blac, meaning “pale.”
Aniston — English surname meaning “Agnes town,” with Agnes meaning “chaste” in Greek.
Kinsley — English surname meaning “clearing belonging to Cyne,” with Cyne meaning “royal” in Old English.
Sloane — Irish surname from the given name Sluaghadhan, meaning “raid” or “mobilization.”
Paisley — Scots surname from the Latin word basilica, meaning “church.”
Presley — English surname meaning “priest clearing” in Old English.
Darcy — English surname from a place name Arcy in La Manche, France.
What’s the final verdict on last names as first names?
Using last names as first names is a growing trend among parents who want to go against the norm when naming their child, but still want something that’s easily recognizable and easy to say or pronounce.
Most last names as first names will fall under one of four categories:
- Patronymic or matronymic surnames are derived from the mother or father’s name.
- Occupational surnames are based on an occupation or trade.
- Toponymic surnames come from the name of a place or geographical feature.
- Descriptive surnames describe a trait, quality, or behavior.
Whether you’re drawn to a last name with family significance or simply love the cool-girl edge they bring, surnames as first names for girls offer a modern way to stand out — without feeling over the top.
ALSO ON MOD MOMS CLUB: 100 baby names inspired by Taylor Swift for your little popstar in the making
But if last name as first name isn’t a trend you want to follow, then don’t worry — Mod Moms Club has plenty more baby name lists (and even a baby name generator) to help you along in your name search.
