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Adorable Last Names for Girls: With Meanings

Updated
These fabulous surname names for girls will have you wondering about your family tree.

Your last name is more than just a signature. It connects you to your heritage and history. Have you ever wondered what your surname really means? We curated this roundup of surname names for girls to help you find out.

This list covers foreign, sweet, trendy, and unique options. We also dug up the fascinating origins behind them. Whether you are naming a character, a baby, or just researching your roots, you will find something special here. Let’s dive in.


50 Foreign Surname Names for Girls

These foreign last names for girls carry deep history and international flair.

  1. Alba: This name has Spanish, Roman, and Albanian roots. It translates to “hill fort” or “dawn.”
  2. Ali: A prominent Arabic surname meaning “high” and “exalted.”
  3. Baruso: This distinctive name derives from “barus.” It is a Latin term for brave and courageous people.
  4. Bosco: This Italian topographical surname suits nature lovers. It refers to people dwelling near forests.
  5. Brando: A shortened version of Albrando. This German title refers to a man skilled with swords.
  6. Chan: A versatile name. It means “God is gracious” in Hispanic cultures or “snow” in Asian dialects.
  7. Chen: A popular Chinese surname. It translates to “old” or “ancient.”
  8. Cheney: This French title comes from de Cheney. It means “oak grove.”
  9. Chevalier: An occupational French surname. It originally referred to equestrians or knights.
  10. Cho: This Korean name has multiple meanings. It can signify “second,” “beginning,” or “candle.”
  11. Cortez: A strong variation of Cortes. It means “courteous” in Spanish and Portuguese.
  12. Crusoe: This English name recalls the classic novel Robinson Crusoe.
  13. Demir: A Turkish occupational name. It was traditionally given to blacksmiths.
  14. Devereux: A name of Norman origin. It means “from Évreux,” a town in France.
  15. Estes: This Latin and English name means “someone from the East.” It is also a famous Colorado city.
  16. Fernandez: A Spanish patronymic name. It means “son of Fernando” or “adventure.”
  17. Flores: This beautiful name has Spanish and Portuguese roots. It simply means “flower.”
  18. Garcia: The Spanish take on Gerald. It translates to “brave spear.”
  19. Gomez: A Spanish name meaning “son of Gomo.” Famous bearers include Selena Gomez.
  20. Gonzalez: A tough Spanish and German option. It translates to “battle” or “war.”
  21. Hagen: This German and Irish name means “youthful one.” It also describes families living near enclosures.
  22. Hassan: An Arabic pick meaning “good-looking.” It suits 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 vibes. It means “rainbow” or “enlarge.”
  25. Joshi: A mystical choice. It means “astrologer” in Sanskrit.
  26. Khan: Derived from Khagan. It means “prince” or “ruler.”
  27. Kim: A popular Korean surname. It means “gold” and works as a unisex first name.
  28. Latham: A Scandinavian name. It was used for families living near large barns.
  29. Lee: A cute, short family name. It means “meadow” in English.
  30. Leroux: A descriptive French surname. It was originally given to redheads.
  31. Lopez: A common Spanish surname. It means “son of Lope” or “wolf.”
  32. Lu: The feminine form of Lou. It means “light” or “famous warrior” in Latin.
  33. Mai: A lovely Japanese surname. It means “to dance” or “linen robe.”
  34. Mohammed: A variation of Muhammed. It means “exalted” or “praiseworthy” in Arabic.
  35. Muller: A German occupational name. It refers to a miller who grinds grain.
  36. Nguyen: A common Vietnamese surname pronounced “win.” It refers to a musical instrument.
  37. Nilsson: A Scandinavian take on the Greek title Nelson. It means “champion.”
  38. Noakes: An English topographical name. It describes someone living near oak trees.
  39. Patel: An Indian name meaning “village headman.” It implies leadership.
  40. Perez: A Spanish patronymic name. It means “son of Pedro.”
  41. Ramirez: A Hispanic “R” surname. It translates to “son of Ramon.”
  42. Riva: An Italian and Spanish name. It describes families living near a riverbank.
  43. Rivera: A variation of “ribera.” It means “riverbank” or “shore.”
  44. Russo: A Sicilian title derived from Latin. It was often given to people with red hair.
  45. Sanchez: This comes from the Latin word Sanctus. It means “sanctified” or “holy.”
  46. Schuyler: A Dutch name made famous by Hamilton. It means “scholar.”
  47. Swain: An English occupational name. It refers to a servant or attendant.
  48. Torres: A Latin and Spanish name. It translates to “towers.”
  49. Wang: One of the most common Chinese surnames. It means “king” or “royal.”
  50. Zhu: A Chinese name meaning “vermilion” or “red.” It creates a colorful image.

58 Beautiful Last Names for Girls

These gorgeous surnames double perfectly as trendy first names.

  1. Addison: A Scottish name meaning “son of Adam.” It is a top-ranking first name for girls.
  2. Ashley: A classic British “A” surname. It means “ash tree meadow.”
  3. Austen: A literary nod to Jane Austen. It derives from Augustine and means “magnificent.”
  4. Baker: An occupational surname. It refers to a baker of bread or bricks.
  5. Beckham: An English name meaning “Becca’s homestead.” It has serious celebrity style.
  6. Bennet: This comes from the Latin word for “benediction.” It means “blessing.”
  7. Bexley: An English habitational name. It refers to a meadow of box trees.
  8. Brinkley: An English name meaning “woodland clearing.” Model Christie Brinkley made it famous.
  9. Booker: An English occupational name. It means “scribe” or “book binder.”
  10. Brooks: An English name with nature vibes. It refers to someone living near a stream.
  11. Cameron: A Scottish name meaning “crooked nose.” It is a very popular unisex choice.
  12. Carson: A Scottish surname meaning “son of the marsh-dwellers.”
  13. Carter: An English and Irish occupational name. It refers to someone who transports goods.
  14. Casey: An Irish title meaning “vigilant.” It works well for boys and girls.
  15. Colton: An English name. It refers to a person from a coal town.
  16. Cooper: An occupational name. It describes a maker of wooden barrels.
  17. Crosby: A Scandinavian name meaning “at the cross.” It has a vintage cool factor.
  18. Delaney: An Irish surname. It translates to “dark challenger.”
  19. Dior: A French name meaning “golden.” It is associated with high fashion.
  20. Ellison: A patronymic name meaning “son of Ellis.” It sounds soft and feminine.
  21. Everett: A German and English name. It means “brave as a wild boar.”
  22. Finnegan: An Irish name meaning “son of the fair-haired one.”
  23. Fisher: An occupational name. It refers to a fisherman or someone who sells fish.
  24. Forbes: A Scottish name meaning “field.” It is associated with wealth and success.
  25. Foster: An English name. It originally referred to a forester or woodsman.
  26. Grayson: An English name meaning “son of the steward.” It is very trendy right now.
  27. Hadley: An English name meaning “heather field.” It feels sophisticated and preppy.
  28. Harley: A Scottish surname meaning “hare’s meadow.” It has an edgy, biker vibe.
  29. Hudson: An English name meaning “son of Hugh.” It is a popular choice for both genders.
  30. Hunter: A Scottish occupational name. It suits a family that loves the outdoors.
  31. Huxley: An English habitational name. It comes from a town in Cheshire.
  32. Jackson: An English name meaning “son of Jack.” Jack is a derivative of John.
  33. Jameson: A British name meaning “son of James.” It sounds distinguished.
  34. Kendall: An Old English name. It means “valley of the River Kent.”
  35. King: A regal British surname. Famous bearers include singer Carole King.
  36. Landon: An English name meaning “long hill.” It has a gentle, open sound.
  37. Larkin: An Irish name meaning “rough” or “fierce.” It sounds like the bird “lark.”
  38. Mackey: An Irish name meaning “son of the fire.” It implies a fiery personality.
  39. Marshall: A French surname. It originally referred to someone who looked after horses.
  40. Mason: A French occupational name. It refers to a stoneworker.
  41. Mavis: A French name meaning “songbird.” It is a sweet, vintage choice.
  42. Miller: An occupational name. It refers to someone who mills grain.
  43. Nolan: An Irish name meaning “noble” or “famous.”
  44. Parker: An English occupational name. It means “park keeper.”
  45. Porter: An occupational surname. It refers to a gatekeeper or carrier of burdens.
  46. Potter: An English occupational name. It means “maker of pots.”
  47. Presley: An English name meaning “priest’s meadow.” Elvis made this one iconic.
  48. Saunders: A Greek derivative of Alexander. It means “defender of the people.”
  49. Sawyer: An English occupational name. It refers to someone who cuts timber.
  50. Smith: The most common surname starting with S. It means “metal worker.”
  51. Thatcher: An English occupational name. It refers to someone who covers roofs with straw.
  52. Tinsley: An English name meaning “Tynni’s meadow.” It sounds sparkly and modern.
  53. Washington: An English name meaning “hunting settlement.” It is a strong political title.
  54. Weaver: An English occupational name. It refers to 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.” It sounds upper-class.
  57. Weston: A British name meaning “from the western town.”
  58. Whitney: An English name meaning “white island.” It was huge in the 80s and 90s.

55 Unique Family Names for Girls

These rare last names for girls will help your character or baby stand out from the crowd.

  1. Adair: A Scottish name meaning “oak tree ford.” It works well as a gender-neutral first name.
  2. Archer: A French and English name. It suits a skilled bowman.
  3. Ashby: An Old English option. It means “ash tree farm.”
  4. Bardot: A French name associated with actress Brigitte Bardot. It exudes glamour.
  5. Barlow: An English name meaning “bare hill” or “barley hill.”
  6. Baxter: An English name derived from “baker.” It has a cool, edgy sound with the “x.”
  7. Beaumont: A French name meaning “beautiful mountain.” It is elegant and scenic.
  8. Blackstone: An English topographical name. It refers to dark stones or rocks.
  9. Boone: A Dutch and English name. It means “blessing” or “lucky.”
  10. Brewster: An English occupational name. It refers to a brewer of ale.
  11. Brighton: An English place name. It means “bright town.”
  12. Bronson: A British surname. It translates to “son of the brown-haired one.”
  13. Cassidy: An Irish name meaning “curly-haired.” It is smart and spunky.
  14. Chancellor: An English occupational name. It refers to an official or secretary.
  15. Collier: An Old English name. It refers to a coal miner or seller.
  16. Cyprus: A geographical name. It comes from the island of Cyprus.
  17. Davies: A Hebrew name meaning “son of David” or “beloved.”
  18. Deacon: A Greek and English name. It means “messenger” or “servant.”
  19. Falkner: A variation of Falconer. It refers to a person who trains hawks.
  20. Farley: A British name meaning “fern meadow.” It sounds earthy and grounded.
  21. Finch: An English bird name. It implies 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. It refers to a farm bailiff.
  24. Ham: This English name sounds culinary, but it actually means “river meadow.”
  25. Hendrix: A Dutch and German name meaning “son of Henry.” It has a rock-and-roll vibe.
  26. Hepburn: An English name meaning “high burial mound.” It is pure Hollywood royalty.
  27. Iverson: A Scandinavian name. It means “son of Ivar” or “archer.”
  28. Keller: A German occupational name. It refers to a cellar master or winemaker.
  29. Kensington: An English place name. It sounds wealthy and posh.
  30. Latimer: An English name meaning “interpreter.” It implies intelligence.
  31. Lennon: An Irish name meaning “lover.” It is famously associated with John Lennon.
  32. Lightfoot: An English nickname surname. It describes someone who runs fast.
  33. Lively: An English name meaning “active” or “energetic.” Blake Lively made it a star.
  34. Mackson: An English name meaning “son of Mack” or “son of Jack.”
  35. Monroe: A Gaelic name meaning “mouth of the river.” It is timelessly chic.
  36. Moses: A biblical name meaning “delivered from the water.”
  37. Munro: A variation of Monroe. It refers to a hill or 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.” Piers is a form of Peter.
  41. Quiller: An English and French occupational name. It refers to a person who quills pleats.
  42. Quinn: An Irish name meaning “descendant of Conn.” It signifies wisdom and intelligence.
  43. Raven: An English bird name. It is dark, mysterious, and gothic.
  44. Rawley: An Old English name meaning “deer’s meadow.”
  45. Reeves: An English occupational name. It refers to a bailiff or steward.
  46. Rhodes: An English and Greek name. It means “clearing in the woods” or “where roses grow.”
  47. Singh: A powerful Sanskrit name. It means “lion.”
  48. St. James: A distinguished name. It honors Saint James the Greater.
  49. Tayson: A modern derivative of Taylor or Tyson. It means “firebrand.”
  50. Thurloe: An English habitational name. It means “Thor’s hill.”
  51. Vinson: An English name meaning “son of Vincent.” It means “conqueror.”
  52. Wainwright: An occupational name. It refers to a wagon maker.
  53. Wilde: An Irish name. It describes someone with a wild or spirited nature.
  54. Wilkes: An English name meaning “son of William.” It means “resolute protector.”
  55. Woolf: A spelling variation of Wolf. It implies strength and fierce loyalty.

Last Names for Girls FAQs

What Are the Fanciest Last Names?

If you want a name that sounds high-class, look to French origins. Names like Chevalier, Dior, Beaumont, and Devereux sound elegant and expensive. Vintage British surnames also carry a fancy vibe, such as Kensington, Harrington, or Wellington.

What Are Good Last Names For a Girl?

A “good” name depends on the vibe you want. For a tough, edgy character, try Woolf, Wilde, or Raven. For a soft, romantic feel, look at Flores, Ashley, or Rose. If you want something literary, go with Austen, Potter, or Sawyer.

What Is the #1 Last Name?

In the United States, Smith is the most common surname and has been for years. In China, Wang and Li are the top contenders. In the UK, Smith, Jones, and Williams are the most popular choices you will encounter.

Can I Use a Surname as a First Name?

Yes, absolutely. This is a massive trend right now. Surnames often make excellent gender-neutral first names. Popular examples include Madison, Taylor, Harper, Kennedy, and Quinn. If it sounds good to you, go for it!

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About the Author

Cate Hoepner

Cate Hoepner is a professional blogger and freelance writer of seven years. Before transitioning into a writing role, she worked in finance and customer service. Cate enjoys DIY projects, old movies, music, and a good cup of coffee. In her free time, you'll find her homeschooling her three kids, crafting her dream homestead, and reading anything she can get her hands on.