163 Beautiful Surname Names for Baby Girls

A surname carries a family’s history, and plenty of them make beautiful first names for a daughter. This list gathers 163 of them, grouped into global classics, pretty modern favorites, and genuinely rare finds.

Americans reported about 6.3 million different surnames in the 2010 Census, and only 11 of those were shared by more than a million people ⁽¹⁾. That is a deep well to draw a name from.

Laura Wattenberg, who runs the naming site Namerology, says, “Many surnames are so well established in our first-name culture that we don’t even think of them as surnames at all.” Where the U.S. Social Security Administration has a record for a name below, we give its most recent rank so you can see how common it really is ⁽²⁾.

50 Foreign Surname Names for Girls

These foreign last names for girls carry deep history, and most of them travel well across borders.

1. Alba: This name has Spanish, Roman, and Albanian roots, and it translates to “hill fort” or “dawn.” SSA data recorded 177 U.S. girls named Alba at #1,261 in 2025, a rare pick that still feels elegant.
2. Ali: A prominent Arabic surname meaning “high” and “exalted.” It sat at #306 on the SSA’s 2025 list, and three letters carry the whole meaning.
3. Baruso: A distinctive choice drawn from “barus,” a Latin term for brave and courageous people. It is too rare for the SSA to publish a count.
4. Bosco: An Italian topographical surname that belonged to people dwelling near forests. It suits nature lovers who want a name with real Old World roots.
5. Brando: A shortened version of Albrando. This German title refers to a man skilled with swords.
6. Chan: Short, versatile, and worth a second look: it means “God is gracious” in Hispanic cultures and “snow” in Asian dialects.
7. Chen: A popular Chinese surname that translates to “old” or “ancient.” That dual meaning gives it a quiet, timeless feel.
8. Cheney: This French title comes from de Cheney and means “oak grove.” The SSA has not listed it for U.S. girls since 2011.
9. Chevalier: An occupational French surname that originally referred to equestrians or knights. Few names here sound so courtly.
10. Cho: A Korean name with several readings, since it can signify “second,” “beginning,” or “candle.” The federal data does not list it at all.
11. Cortez: A strong variation of Cortes, meaning “courteous” in Spanish and Portuguese. On the SSA’s charts it peaked at #532 in 1990 and now sits at #1,655 in 2025, still carrying the same bold sound it started with.
12. Crusoe: This English name recalls the classic novel Robinson Crusoe, so it arrives with a castaway’s sense of adventure.
13. Demir: A Turkish occupational name given to blacksmiths. It sounds every bit as sturdy as its trade.
14. Devereux: A name of Norman origin. It means “from Évreux,” a town in France.
15. Estes: Latin and English roots give this one the sense of “someone from the East,” and it doubles as a Colorado city. Just seven U.S. girls received it in 2025.
16. Fernandez: A Spanish patronymic name, read as “son of Fernando” or “adventure.”
17. Flores: Spanish and Portuguese roots give this one a simple meaning. It just means “flower.”
18. Garcia: The Spanish take on Gerald, translating to “brave spear,” and it last charted on the SSA’s list back in 2015.
19. Gomez: A Spanish name meaning “son of Gomo.” Famous bearers include Selena Gomez, though the SSA hasn’t charted it for girls since 1950.
20. Gonzalez: A tough Spanish and German option that translates to “battle” or “war.” It is too rare as a first name for the SSA to publish.
21. Hagen: German and Irish alike, this one means “youthful one.” It also described families living near enclosures.
22. Hassan: An Arabic pick meaning “good-looking,” warm and simple for a beautiful baby girl.
23. Hernandez: This name originated in 15th-century Spain. It refers to a bold voyager.
24. Hong: A Mandarin name with sunny meanings: “rainbow” or “enlarge.”
25. Joshi: A mystical choice meaning “astrologer” in Sanskrit. The SSA has no record of it, so a daughter would likely be the only one in her class.
26. Khan: Derived from Khagan, it means “prince” or “ruler.” On the SSA’s 2025 list it sits at #7,442, well off its 1969 peak of #3,777, which leaves the “prince” meaning to a small group of girls.
27. Kim: A popular Korean surname. It means “gold” and works as a unisex first name. Kim reached #34 for U.S. girls in 1960 and has since eased to #4,228, a slide that turned a mid-century staple into an uncommon choice.
28. Latham: A Scandinavian name used for families who lived beside large barns.
29. Lee: A cute, short family name meaning “meadow” in English. SSA figures put it at #727 in 2025, down from a peak of #76 back in 1936, though its easy, one-syllable sound keeps it in circulation.
30. Leroux: A descriptive French surname originally given to redheads. It does not appear in U.S. birth data at all.
31. Lopez: A common Spanish surname meaning “son of Lope” or “wolf.” The wolf tie gives it a bit of quiet strength.
32. Lu: The feminine form of Lou, meaning “light” or “famous warrior” in Latin. Seven U.S. girls were given it in 2025.
33. Mai: A lovely Japanese surname meaning “to dance” or “linen robe.” The SSA logged 55 girls with it in 2025, at #3,016.
34. Mohammed: A variation of Muhammed, meaning “exalted” or “praiseworthy” in Arabic. It carries deep religious significance across the Muslim world.
35. Muller: A German occupational name for a miller who grinds grain. It is absent from the SSA’s published lists.
36. Nguyen: A common Vietnamese surname pronounced “win,” and it refers to a musical instrument. Among the names SSA still charts, it is the rarest one here, #13,330 in 2025, or roughly one baby in 333,000.
37. Nilsson: A Scandinavian take on the Greek title Nelson. It means “champion.”
38. Noakes: An English topographical name that described someone living near oak trees.
39. Patel: An Indian name meaning “village headman.” Quiet leadership is built right into it.
40. Perez: A Spanish patronymic name meaning “son of Pedro.”
41. Ramirez: A Hispanic “R” surname. It translates to “son of Ramon.”
42. Riva: An Italian and Spanish name for families living near a riverbank. It is climbing, with 41 U.S. girls in 2025, up about 115% on the previous decade.
43. Rivera: A variation of “ribera,” meaning “riverbank” or “shore.” It suits a family drawn to water and open space.
44. Russo: A Sicilian title derived from Latin, often given to people with red hair.
45. Sanchez: This comes from the Latin word Sanctus. So it carries “sanctified” or “holy” at its root.
46. Schuyler: A Dutch name made famous by Hamilton, and it means “scholar.” It stays thin at #11,769 on the SSA’s 2025 list, so the Hamilton connection is doing more work than the numbers.
47. Swain: An English occupational name for a servant or attendant. It has a plain, working-class honesty to it.
48. Torres: A Latin and Spanish name that translates simply to “towers,” and it now sits at #10,576 on the SSA’s 2025 list, well off its 1965 peak of #2,771, so the plural “towers” now reads as a rare pick.
49. Wang: One of the most common Chinese surnames, meaning “king” or “royal.” It carries genuine weight as a first name.
50. Zhu: A Chinese name meaning “vermilion” or “red,” which paints a colorful image. U.S. birth records do not list it.

58 Beautiful Last Names for Girls

These gorgeous surnames slide easily into first-name territory, and several already rank on the SSA charts.

1. Addison: A Scottish name meaning “son of Adam” that became a girls’ favorite. It ranked #84 for U.S. girls in 2025, down about 46% on the previous decade.
2. Ashley: A classic British “A” surname meaning “ash tree meadow.” It was #1 for U.S. girls in 1991 and is the steepest faller on this list, off about 65% against the decade before.
3. Austen: A literary nod to Jane Austen, derived from Augustine and meaning “magnificent.”
4. Baker: An occupational surname for a baker of bread or bricks. It is the fastest riser here, up roughly 1,179% on the ten years before.
5. Beckham: An English name meaning “Becca’s homestead.” It carries serious celebrity style all its own.
6. Bennet: This comes from the Latin word for “benediction,” so a blessing is baked right in.
7. Bexley: An English habitational name for a meadow of box trees. Girls’ use has jumped about 485% over the past decade, though it’s off its 2021 peak of #753, now landing at #963 in 2025.
8. Brinkley: An English name meaning “woodland clearing.” Model Christie Brinkley made it famous, and the SSA now has it at #5,269.
9. Booker: An English occupational name meaning “scribe” or “book binder.”
10. Brooks: An English name with nature in it, since it refers to someone living near a stream. It sits at #64 on the SSA’s 2025 boys list and #2,126 for girls.
11. Cameron: A Scottish name meaning “crooked nose.” Its clipped, two-syllable sound helps explain why it works as a genuinely unisex pick.
12. Carson: A Scottish surname meaning “son of the marsh dwellers.” On the boys’ 2025 SSA list it lands at #124, which puts the marsh-dweller origin in wide circulation.
13. Carter: An English and Irish occupational name for someone who transports goods. It eased from #24 on the boys’ 2015 list to #45 in 2025, familiar enough that a girl named Carter rarely has to repeat it.
14. Casey: An Irish title meaning “vigilant.” It works well for boys and girls, and the SSA had it at #320 in 2025, keeping the “vigilant” meaning attached to a name people already know.
15. Colton: An English name for a person who came from a coal town. It has a solid, everyday warmth to it.
16. Cooper: An occupational name describing a maker of wooden barrels. It is a boys’ top 30 name in 2025, while girls’ use trails far behind at #1,244, a gap that marks it as a stronger pick for boys.
17. Crosby: A Scandinavian name meaning “at the cross,” with a vintage cool factor.
18. Delaney: An Irish surname that translates to “dark challenger.” It held #242 for U.S. girls in 2025.
19. Dior: A French name meaning “golden,” and it is tied firmly to high fashion. Use has risen about 235% over the past decade, though it’s off its 2020 peak of #499, reaching #1,126 in 2025.
20. Ellison: A patronymic name meaning “son of Ellis” that still sounds soft and feminine. The SSA put it at #1,067 for girls in 2025.
21. Everett: A German and English name with a memorable meaning: “brave as a wild boar.” It suits a child with a fearless streak.
22. Finnegan: An Irish name meaning “son of the fair-haired one,” and Finn is waiting inside it.
23. Fisher: An occupational name for a fisherman or someone who sells fish. Its SSA rank has held close to a steady #791 in 2025, not far off its recent #764 peak in 2017, a stability that suits its plain, workable feel.
24. Forbes: A Scottish name meaning “field,” long associated with wealth and success.
25. Foster: An English name that originally referred to a forester or woodsman. It ranked #901 on the SSA’s 2025 list, well off the #383 peak it hit back in 1913. That long arc gives it a settled, old-fashioned feel.
26. Grayson: An English name meaning “son of the steward,” and very much of the moment at #51 on the SSA’s 2025 boys list.
27. Hadley: An English name meaning “heather field,” sophisticated and preppy. It ranked #121 for U.S. girls in 2025.
28. Harley: A Scottish surname meaning “hare’s meadow,” with an edgy, biker vibe. Girls’ use sat at #418 in 2025.
29. Hudson: An English name meaning “son of Hugh.” It is the highest-ranked name on this list, #17 for boys in 2025, while 83 girls received it that year, at #2,223. That wide reach across both genders makes it one of the most flexible picks here.
30. Hunter: A Scottish occupational name that suits a family who loves the outdoors.
31. Huxley: An English habitational name that comes from a town in Cheshire.
32. Jackson: An English name meaning “son of Jack.” Jack itself is a derivative of John. It has settled at #36 in 2025 after peaking at #14 in 2021, a layered history behind a name that still feels current.
33. Jameson: A British name meaning “son of James.” It sounds distinguished and shortens easily.
34. Kendall: An Old English name for the “valley of the River Kent.” The SSA had it at #328 in 2025. That marks a steady fall from its 2012 peak of #116, though the river-valley imagery still gives it a natural feel.
35. King: A regal British surname. Famous bearers include singer Carole King.
36. Landon: An English name meaning “long hill,” gentle and open in sound.
37. Larkin: An Irish name meaning “rough” or “fierce,” though the ear hears the bird “lark.” Only 41 U.S. girls got it in 2025.
38. Mackey: An Irish name meaning “son of the fire.” That origin hints at a fiery personality. It also carries a warm, approachable sound for everyday use.
39. Marshall: A French surname. It originally referred to someone who looked after horses.
40. Mason: A French occupational name for a stoneworker. It runs far more common for boys, #39 in 2025, than for girls at #3,153.
41. Mavis: A French name meaning “songbird,” sweet and vintage. It is the biggest revival on this list: strongest in 1927, nearly gone by 1997, and back at #561 for girls in 2025.
42. Miller: An occupational name for someone who mills grain. Its plain, workaday sound makes it a low-key, genuinely unisex pick.
43. Nolan: An Irish name meaning “noble” or “famous.” It sits at #65 on the SSA’s 2025 boys list, a steady top 100 name since 2023. It works equally well as a first or middle name.
44. Parker: An English occupational name meaning “park keeper.” It sits at #102 in 2025, just off a 2015 peak of #72, and pairs easily with almost any middle name.
45. Porter: An occupational surname for a gatekeeper or a carrier of burdens. Its SSA rank has slipped to #560 in 2025 from a 2014 peak of #368, though the name still carries a working, dependable edge. It suits a family that values steady, honest work.
46. Potter: An English occupational name meaning “maker of pots.” SSA records last show it in 2018.
47. Presley: An English name meaning “priest’s meadow.” Elvis made this one iconic, and today it ranks #225 on the SSA’s 2025 list, a top-250 spot for a name most people still hear as Elvis.
48. Saunders: A Greek derivative of Alexander, meaning “defender of the people.” That heritage links it to one of history’s most enduring names. It carries strength without feeling heavy.
49. Sawyer: An English occupational name for someone who cuts timber. It sits at #122 in 2025, just below a 2015 peak of #94, an outdoorsy, capable name that wears well without needing an introduction.
50. Smith: The most common surname starting with S, and it means “metal worker.” About 2.4 million people reported it in the 2010 Census. It sits at #1,483 for boys on the SSA’s 2025 list, while just 8 girls received it, at #11,798.
51. Thatcher: An English occupational name for someone who covers roofs with straw.
52. Tinsley: An English name meaning “Tynni’s meadow,” sparkly and modern. It has climbed about 104% over the past decade, though it’s off its 2020 peak of #721, now at #1,112 in 2025.
53. Washington: An English name meaning “hunting settlement.” It also carries real political weight as a title. It last charted at #9,819 in 2024, down sharply from a 1914 peak of #801, a fall that only adds to its dignified, historic weight.
54. Weaver: An English occupational name for a weaver of cloth.
55. Webster: A name with French roots. It is another term for a weaver.
56. Wellington: An Old English name meaning “wealthy estate,” and it sounds every bit as grand as that suggests. Its SSA rank sits at #4,382 in 2025, well down from a peak of #847 back in 1917. That drop gives it real vintage appeal for parents seeking something uncommon.
57. Weston: A British name meaning “from the western town.”
58. Whitney: An English name meaning “white island.” It peaked at #32 for U.S. girls in 1986 and now sits at #1,046.

55 Unique Family Names for Girls

These rare last names for girls will help a character or a baby stand out, and most are barely used as first names at all.

1. Adair: A Scottish name meaning “oak tree ford.” It works well as a gender-neutral first name. It has drifted to #2,145 in 2025 from a 2007 peak of #1,562, an uncommon pick with a strong, grounded sound.
2. Archer: A French and English name that suits a skilled bowman, and it is sitting right at its all-time high, #98 on the SSA’s 2025 list.
3. Ashby: An Old English option meaning “ash tree farm.” It last charted at #9,637 in 2024, a rare pick that has faded since its 2011 peak of #4,258. It pairs easily with softer middle names.
4. Bardot: A French name tied to actress Brigitte Bardot, and it trades on pure glamour. It first showed up in SSA data in 2022, given to five girls.
5. Barlow: An English name meaning “bare hill” or “barley hill.”
6. Baxter: An English name derived from “baker.” That “x” at its center gives it a cool, edgy sound. It stands out without feeling forced.
7. Beaumont: A French name meaning “beautiful mountain,” elegant and scenic.
8. Blackstone: An English topographical name for dark stones or rocks. No U.S. birth record lists it, so it is as rare as it sounds.
9. Boone: A Dutch and English name meaning “blessing” or “lucky.” It just hit its all-time SSA peak of #423 in 2025, a hopeful, easygoing name on the rise.
10. Brewster: An English occupational name for a brewer of ale.
11. Brighton: An English place name meaning “bright town.” It has eased to #1,872 in 2025 from a 2012 peak of #1,163, though the sunny meaning keeps it feeling upbeat. It works well as a fresh alternative to more common place names.
12. Bronson: A British surname. It translates to “son of the brown-haired one.”
13. Cassidy: An Irish name meaning “curly-haired,” smart and spunky. It reached #99 for U.S. girls in 1999 and has eased to #541 since.
14. Chancellor: An English occupational name for an official or a secretary.
15. Collier: An Old English name for a coal miner or seller. It sits at #3,045 in 2025, well off a 1946 peak of #2,050, an occupational name with a plain, working heritage. It has a sturdy, unfussy sound.
16. Cyprus: A geographical name that comes from the island of Cyprus.
17. Davies: A Hebrew name meaning “son of David” or “beloved.” It has drifted to #9,934 in 2025 from a 1946 peak of #3,250, though the warm, affectionate meaning keeps it feeling timeless. It reads as classic without feeling dated.
18. Deacon: A Greek and English name meaning “messenger” or “servant,” and it holds #561 on the SSA’s 2025 list, down from a 2014 peak of #420, with the church title still audible in it.
19. Falkner: A variation of Falconer, for a person who trains hawks. The SSA has never published a count for it.
20. Farley: A British name meaning “fern meadow.” It sounds earthy and grounded. That pastoral feel makes it a gentle fit for a nature-inspired middle name.
21. Finch: An English bird name that suggests a happy or colorful personality.
22. Foxton: An English place name. It basically means “farmstead where foxes are found.”
23. Granger: A French and English name that referred to a farm bailiff. The occupational root gives it a practical, no-nonsense edge.
24. Ham: This English name sounds culinary, but it actually means “river meadow.”
25. Hendrix: A Dutch and German name meaning “son of Henry,” with a rock-and-roll vibe.
26. Hepburn: An English name meaning “high burial mound,” and it is pure Hollywood royalty. It has never charted in U.S. birth data.
27. Iverson: A Scandinavian name meaning “son of Ivar” or “archer.”
28. Keller: A German occupational name for a cellar master or winemaker.
29. Kensington: An English place name that sounds wealthy and posh. Sixty U.S. girls received it in 2025, at #2,839.
30. Latimer: An English name meaning “interpreter,” which implies intelligence.
31. Lennon: An Irish name meaning “lover,” famously attached to John Lennon. It has surged about 530% over the previous decade, now at #214 for girls in 2025, the highest it has ever charted.
32. Lightfoot: An English nickname surname that described someone who runs fast.
33. Lively: An English name meaning “active” or “energetic.” Blake Lively made it a star, and 44 U.S. girls were given it in 2025.
34. Mackson: An English name meaning “son of Mack” or “son of Jack.”
35. Monroe: A Gaelic name meaning “mouth of the river,” timelessly chic. SSA data has it rising, at #467 for girls in 2025, its highest standing yet.
36. Moses: A biblical name meaning “delivered from the water.”
37. Munro: A variation of Monroe that points to a hill or a river mouth.
38. Padgett: An English name meaning “attendant” or “page.”
39. Pascoe: A Cornish name meaning “Easter.” It connects to the French name Pascal.
40. Pierson: An English name meaning “son of Piers,” and Piers is a form of Peter.
41. Quiller: An English and French occupational name for a person who quills pleats.
42. Quinn: An Irish name meaning “descendant of Conn,” a nod to wisdom and intelligence. It ranked #97 on the SSA’s 2025 list, one syllable doing the work of five letters.
43. Raven: An English bird name, dark and a little gothic. Its brooding, one-word sound gives it a moody, atmospheric edge.
44. Rawley: An Old English name meaning “deer’s meadow.”
45. Reeves: An English occupational name for a bailiff or steward, and it sits at #2,442 on the SSA’s 2025 list, down from a 1913 peak of #1,915, rare enough that the steward meaning still lands as news.
46. Rhodes: An English and Greek name meaning “clearing in the woods” or “where roses grow.”
47. Singh: A powerful Sanskrit name meaning “lion.” It is absent from SSA birth records.
48. St. James: A distinguished pick that honors Saint James the Greater.
49. Tayson: A modern derivative of Taylor or Tyson, read as “firebrand.”
50. Thurloe: An English habitational name meaning “Thor’s hill.”
51. Vinson: An English name meaning “son of Vincent,” which itself carries “conqueror.”
52. Wainwright: An occupational name for a wagon maker.
53. Wilde: An Irish name for someone with a wild or spirited nature.
54. Wilkes: An English name meaning “son of William,” or “resolute protector,” and it now sits at #5,032 on the SSA’s 2025 list, down from a 1923 peak of #3,459, a quieter route into the William family of names.
55. Woolf: A spelling variation of Wolf, implying strength and fierce loyalty. The SSA has no published count for it.

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