Best of… Last Names as First Names

You can’t walk into a preschool class now and not see a Mason, Harper, or Lincoln, even though these names were virtually unused as first names until fairly recently. The “surname baby name” has mass appeal in a naming climate where parents are increasingly looking to expand their first-name options and reject traditional gender divisions. You can see this in how the trend continues to dominate the baby name rankings. When repurposed as first names, traditional last names can take on a contemporary appeal and distinctiveness. Their long history as surnames makes them seem familiar while their use as first names makes them feel fresh.

We think the last-name-as-first-name trend is a great way to honor family or other people we admire, giving our child a name that is both stylish and meaningful. Babynames.com’s Jennifer Moss says that this is, in fact, how the whole trend started. Using a surname as a first name was first popularized by “high society” (rich people) as a way of signaling maternal lineage. That is, parents would use a mother’s maiden name as the child’s first name to “advertise” her family’s prominence.

Now, parents from all backgrounds have caught on to this trend. Surname baby names have become so mainstream we might not even recognize that staples like Logan, Chase, and Paige were once relegated to the last-name spot. So we’ve gathered up some of our favorite underused last names as first names. While we recommend looking to your own family tree for inspiration, we offer up these under-the-radar picks:

Callan

Derived from the Scottish and Gaelic surname, Callan as a first name is still new, but nickname option Cal gives it mainstream wearability.

Clark

Evoking both the glitz of Old Hollywood and strength of Superman, Clark is a handsome name choice no matter who you are.  

Davis

It’s part David and part Dennis, but for 2019.

Delaney

Though it means “dark challenger,” Delaney has some swing in its preppy step. And it can be shortened to Lane to keep things simple.

Ford

Ford has so much going for it, we’re sorta surprised it’s not more popular. It’s simple but uncommon, and its automaker ties are innocuous enough.

Harlow

Harlow got a boost after Nicole Richie and Joel Madden chose it for their daughter, but it never quite took off like the similar-sounding Harper.

Harrison

Like the other last names with -son endings, Harrison literally means “Harry’s son.” It’s a modern surname with traditional roots that gives off a rugged and confident vibe.

Hollis

Derived from the English surname, Hollis means “holly trees” and makes a great nature name.

Marshall

Peaking in popularity around 1910, Marshall is an occupation name that’s surprisingly versatile. Proof: Marshall McLuhan, Marshall Mathers, and Marshall from How I Met Your Mother all have the same name.

Miller

Another occupation name, meaning grain grinder, Miller is an extremely popular last name that hasn’t quite developed first-name status.

Nash

TV police show Nash Bridges first popularized Nash as a first name in the 90s, but its resemblance to Cash gives it present-day cool.

Reese

Simple but packed with style, Reese makes a bold statement despite its single syllable. Plus it works with virtually any last name.

Shaw

An off-beat alternative to Shawn, it’s a name that’s recognizable and easy to say, yet refreshingly unexpected.

Sutton

Actress and singer Sutton Foster pretty much owns this one, which means “southern farm,” but we’d love to see more of them around.

Walker

No need to have a family namesake to use this one! Walker’s popularity as a last name means that there’s no shortage of inspiring Walkers. Use it to honor Alice Walker, Herschel Walker, or the zombies in Walking Dead if that’s your thing.

West

West feels less “directional” than the names North or East, instead conjuring the Wild West in the same way Wyatt might. Or, use it as a nickname for another surname-turned-first-name, Weston.

So those are our picks for the best underused surnames-turned-first-names. Have something to add to the list? Let us know!