200+ Last Names That Start With I: With Incredible Origins

Do names beginning with the letter I pique your interest? If so, we cordially invite you to inspect our interesting inventory of over 200 last names that start with I.

Whether you are on a journey for identity or inspiration, we have a wide range of I last names from around the world. There’s something for all interests, from the most common, like Ingram, Isaacs, and Irwin, to rarer options like Ikeda, Iliev, and Ingólfsson.

Let us illuminate the origins and meanings behind each pick. Read on to discover the most intriguing surnames, starting with I.

Unique and Short I Last Names

Here are 7 of the shortest rare surnames beginning with I.

1. I – is a Korean variant of Lee from the Chinese surname Li, meaning “plum, plum tree.”
2. Ie – comes from the Chinese characters for “surplus, extra, remaining,” and is most common in Cambodia.
3. Im – is highly common in South Korea, originating from the Sino-Korean character for “forest” or “dependable, appoint.”
4. In – is a Khmer variant of Lin, from the Chinese character for “forest” or “dependable, appoint.”
5. Ip – is the Cantonese form of the Mandarin Chinese Yip, meaning “leaf, in harmony, lobe, page.”
6. Iu – from the Chinese characters for “poplar (tree), outstanding, good-looking,” but is most common surname in Vietnam.
7. Ix – a rare surname from Mexico, possibly denoting the Mayan jaguar goddess Ixchel (rainbow lady).

3-Letter Last Names That Start With I

Here are 12 unique 3-letter I last names.

1. Ibe – a German variant of Ivo (yew), Japanese for “(water) well,” and Nigerian Igbo, meaning “family.”
2. Ice – an Americanization of the Yiddish-German Eis (iron), also derived from the Germanic “ecke” (sword/blade).
3. Ida – pronounced “EE-DA,” combines the Japanese characters for “well, mine shaft” and “rice field/rice paddy.”
4. Ide – combines the Japanese for “well, mine shaft” and “exit,” and rarely, “shoot-hand,” denoting an “archer.”
5. Ige – from the West African Yoruba word for “born feet-first, breech”; also Japanese for “this, technique.”
6. Igo – may have Irish-Norman roots from Mac Igó (son of Igou); also Basque, meaning “to ascend.”
7. Iha – is a popular 3-letter Japanese surname, possibly meaning “those waves” or “stone.”
8. Ihm – a rare English surname of uncertain meaning, with about 1,116 bearers worldwide.
9. Ike – means “pond, pool” in Japanese; also means “(divine) power” in the Nigerian Igbo language
10. Ion – stems from the Basque and Romanian Ion, a form of John, meaning “Jehovah is gracious.”
11. Itō – means “this wisteria” in Japanese and is the 406th most common surname worldwide.
12. Ivy – derives from the Anglo-Saxon Ive and is a patronymic meaning “son of Ive.”

4-Letter Surnames Starting With I

Here are 25 of the most common 4-letter last names starting with I.

1. Iams – originates from the Old Irish clan name Innes, from the Gaelic “inis,” meaning “island.”
2. Icke – derives from the Middle High German “ecke” (sword/blade), possibly also from the Frisian Ico.
3. Idah – a variant English spelling of the Japanese Ida (field/rice paddy with a well).
4. Iden – rooted in the Old English “ig” and “denn” (pasture by the yew trees), and likely denotes fens.
5. Idle – an English variant of Idell from the German Eitel; also from the Old Welsh Iudhail (bountiful lord).
6. Idol – a rare 4-letter Anglo-Saxon surname borne by less than 2,000 people worldwide.
7. Ifft – a locational name derived from Thuringia, Germany, known as Ifta.
8. Igel – originates from a Jewish Ashkenazi nickname from the Middle High German “igel” (hedgehog).
9. Igoe – is Irish, possibly from the Gaelic Ó hUigínn, meaning “descendent of Uigínn.”
10. Igou – an Irish form of the Norman Igo/Ingou, rooted in the Scandinavian Ingulfz (Ing’s wolf).
11. Ihde – has roots in the Germanic element “id,” meaning “work, labor.”
12. Ihle – is Danish-German for someone living near the river Ihle, from the Old Norse “íla” (well/spring).
13. Iida – means “cooked rice field/rice paddy” in Japanese; not to be confused with Ida (well field).
14. Ikin – is Scottish-English, derived from Adam (Ad) and “kin”; also a matronymic diminutive of Ida (industrious).
15. Ilić – is Siberian-Croatian for “son of Ilija,” from the Anglicized Hebrew Elijah (my God is Jehovah).
16. Imai – which is highly popular, combines the Japanese kanji for “present, now” and “(water) well, mine shaft.”
17. İnce – is Turkish for “thin, slim” and is highly common in Turkey.
18. Inch – has roots in the Anglo-Saxon location “of Ince”; also a variant of the Scottish Innes.
19. Insh – is a rare Scottish surname, derived from the Scottish-Irish word “inis” (island).
20. Iron – derives from the Old English “iren” (metal iron), possibly denoting a blacksmith or great strength.
21. Iver – stems from the Norwegian variant of Ivar, rooted in the Old Norse Ívarr (yew bow warrior).
22. Ivey – means “from Ivoy” in Norman (Old French-English); and is also Anglo-Saxon for “son of Ive.”
23. Ivov – means “son of Ivo,” a Bulgarian diminutive of Ivan derived from John (Jehovah is gracious).
24. Iwai – originates from a common Japanese surname meaning “(water) well/pit by the cliff/rocks.”
25. Iyer – denotes a “respected person” in Tamil and other Dravidian languages.

5-Letter Last Names Starting With I

Here are 55 beautiful 5-letter surnames beginning with I.

1. Ianni – from the central and southern form of the Italian Gianni, from John (Jehovah is gracious).
2. Ibach – an uncommon German surname comprising the Germanic words “iche” (oak tree) and “bach” (stream).
3. Ibaka – a Central African surname of uncertain meaning, but may mean “male/man” or “mule.”
4. Ibbot – a variant of the English Ibbott, from a diminutive of Isabel (my God is plenty).
5. Ibsen – means “son of Ib,” a Danish form of Jacob (supplanter/one seizing the heel).
6. Icard – stems from the French form of the Germanic Ichard, meaning “hardy/brave/strong hedgehog.”
7. Ickes – a variant of the English Hicks (brave ruler); is also German of uncertain meaning.
8. Idell – has roots in the Old English “īdel” (idle/unused), denoting a piece of uncultivated land.
9. Idema – is a Dutch and Frisian patronymic most common in the Netherlands, meaning “son of Ide.”
10. Ideus – a rare Germanic surname with about 480 bearers worldwide.
11. Idler – might be an Americanized form of the German Adler, meaning “eagle.”
12. Iezzi – a southern Italian variant of Ghezzi, meaning “dark (haired/skinned).”
13. Ifill – stems from the Old English words “īw” (yew tree) and “feld” (open country).
14. Ihnat – a rare Ukrainian and Slovak form of the Latin surname Ignatius, of uncertain meaning.
15. Ihnen – derives from a diminutive of a Germanic name meaning “great powerful,” now a Frisian-German patronymic.
16. Ihrig – is German from the given name Iring, which has an uncertain meaning.
17. Ihrke – means “son of Aafje,” consisting of the Germanic element “alb” (elf), also a diminutive of Iring.
18. Iiams – a rare Anglo-Saxon surname meaning “son of Emma.”
19. Ijams – a rare Americanized spelling of the Old Irish Iams, meaning “island.”
20. Ikard – an Americanized form of Ikerd, from the German Eichert, meaning “(dwells by the) oak.”
21. Ikeda – means “rice paddy/field near the pond” in Japanese and is a common surname in Japan.
22. Ikerd – an English form of the German Eichert, meaning “(dwells by the) oak.”
23. Ikner – an English variant of the German Eichner/Eickner, denoting someone who worked with oak wood.
24. Iliev – meaning “son of Iliya (Elijah)” in Bulgaria; extremely common in Bulgaria and North Macedonia.
25. Illés – derives from the Hungarian form of Elias (Elijah), meaning “my God is Jehovah.”
26. Ilves – stems from an Estonian nickname meaning “lynx” and is highly popular in its home country.
27. Imbry – derives from the Old French Amauri and Emaurri, rooted in the Gothic Amalric (brave ruler).
28. Imlah – has about 369 bearers worldwide, primarily in English-speaking nations, and is of uncertain meaning.
29. Imlay – a variant of the Scottish Imlach, from the Gaelic “imleach” (marshy land).
30. Imre – is the Hungarian form of the Germanic Emmerich, meaning “great and brave ruler.”
31. Imrie – is common in Scotland, from the Old French forms of the Germanic Amalric (brave ruler).
32. Inaba – stems from a nickname that combines the Japanese kanji for “leaves of the rice plant.”
33. Inada – means “rice plant field/paddy” in Japanese.
34. Inari – a rare surname from the Japanese Shinto god of harvests whose name means “carrying rice.”
35. Inbar – is transferred from the Hebrew feminine given name Inbar, meaning “amber.”
36. Ingle – is English, from the Old Norse Ingjaldr (tribute), Ingivaldr (Ing’s might), or Ingólfr (Ing’s wolf).
37. Inman – means “inn man, innkeeper” in English, from medieval Anglo-Saxon roots.
38. Innes – derives from the Scottish-Irish Gaelic “inis” (river island); also from the Scottish Aonghus (one strength).
39. Innis – originates from the Scottish and Irish Gaelic “inis,” meaning “river island.”
40. Inoue – means “above the well” in Japanese.
41. Inrig – is a Scottish surname used in Canada and Scotland, possibly from a location called Inchbrayock.
42. Insch – has roots in the Scottish Gaelic “inis,” meaning “(river) island.”
43. Irons – is Scottish, meaning “(from the lands of) Irnys (iron),” or “dweller by the sands” from Hieron.
44. Irven – is a variant of the Scottish Irvin/Irvine, meaning “green/fresh water.”
45. Irvin – stems from the Scottish Irvine (green/freshwater) or the English Irwin (boar friend).
46. Irwin – has roots in the Old English Eoforwine, meaning “boar friend.”
47. Isaac – from the given name Isaac, based on the Hebrew Yitzchaq, meaning “laughter.”
48. Isaev – means “son of Isay/Isai,” the Russian form of Isaiah, meaning “salvation of Jehovah.”
49. Isles – is Anglo-Saxon from the Old French word “isle,” meaning “island.”
50. Ivers – is English-Irish for “son of Ivor,” from the Old Norse “Ívarr” (yew tree/bow warrior).
51. Ivory – from the Anglo-Saxon Ivor, meaning “yew tree/bow warrior”; also means “from Ivry-la-Bataille” in France.
52. Iwata – means “rice paddy on the cliffs, rocky rice field” in Japanese.
53. Izatt – has Norman and Scottish roots with an uncertain meaning, but might derive from Izzard (admired).
54. Izett – a rare English surname of uncertain meaning.
55. Izumi – a Japanese surname and unisex given name, meaning “spring, fountain.”

6-Letter Last Names Starting With I

These are 28 of the best 6-letter I surnames.

1. Iacona – a southern Italian form of “diacono” (deacon); possibly a diminutive of the Italian Giacco (supplanter).
2. Iacono – means “deacon” in southern Italian, ultimately from the Greek “diákonos” (minister, servant).
3. I’Anson – a variant of the Scandinavian Janson, meaning “son of Jan,” a form of John.
4. Ibanez – an Anglicized spelling of the Spanish surname Ibáñez (son of Ibán), from John (Jehovah is gracious).
5. Ibáñez – means “son of Ibán,” a Spanish form of John, meaning “Jehovah is gracious.”
6. Ibarra – stems from the Basque word “ibar,” which means “valley, valley with a river.”
7. Ibbott – from the Norman Hildebert (battle famous); possibly from the medieval Ibota, a diminutive of Isabel.
8. Ideker – means “of (the) Ide/Ida (family),” both diminutives using the Germanic root “id” (work/labor).
9. Ignácz – stems from the Hungarian Ignác, a form of the Latin Ignatius.
10. Ikeler – an Americanized variant of the German Eichler, meaning “(dweller near the) oak tree.”
11. Ilagan – derives from a Filipino Tagalog-language nickname, meaning “to evade, dodge, avoid.”
12. Ilbert – is Norman, from the Old German Hildiberht/Hildeberht, meaning “battle famous.”
13. Imbert – means “vast bright(ness)” in French and Catalan, derived from a Germanic given name.
14. Inches – is Scottish-English, possibly denoting a small parcel of land, or derived from Innes, meaning “island.”
15. Ingham – means “Inga’s homestead” in Old English and was the name of several locations.
16. Ingles – means “(the) English(man)” in Spanish; also a variant of Ingle, Old English for “fire, hearth.”
17. Inglis – is Scottish-English from the Old English word for “Englishman.”
18. Ingram – stems from the Germanic elements “angil” (of the Angles) or “engil” (angel) and “hram” (raven).
19. Ingrem – a rare variant of the Norman-Germanic Ingram, likely meaning “angel raven.”
20. Irvine – is an English variant of Irwin (boar friend) and Scottish-Brythonic for “green/freshwater.”
21. Irving – a Scottish-English variant of Irvine (green/freshwater) or Irwin (boar friend).
22. Isaacs – means “son of Isaac,” from the Hebrew Yishaq, meaning “laughter.”
23. Isdale – is English, of uncertain meaning, but might be connected to a root meaning “dale, valley.”
24. Ishida – means “stony/rocky rice paddy/field” in Japanese and is quite common in Japan.
25. Ismail – stems from the Arabic surname Isma’il, a form of the Hebrew Ishmael (God hears/listens).
26. Ivanov – a Russian and Bulgarian surname meaning “son of Ivan,” from John (Jehovah is gracious).
27. Ivanow – a Belarusian form of Ivanov, meaning “son of Ivan,” from John (Jehovah is gracious).
28. Ivanoŭ – a variant spelling of the Belarusian Ivanow, meaning “son of Ivan.”

7-Letter Surnames Starting With I

Discover 29 7-letter I last names from around the world.

1. Iafrate – a combination of the southern Italian diminutive of Ianni (Johnny) and “frate” (brother).
2. Iandoli – is a rare southern Italian patronymic or plural form of Iandolo from the Germanic Candolo.
3. Iannone – from a combination of the Italian Iann(i) (John) and the suffix “-one” (big/large).
4. Iarussi – is an Italian variant of Giarrusso, from Ianni (John) and “russo” (red).
5. Ibrahim – the Arabic form of the Hebrew Abraham (father of many/multitudes), common surname in Nigeria.
6. Iddings – is English, from the Old Norse Ithunn(r), combining elements meaning “to love again.”
7. Idleman – an Americanized form of the Jewish Idelman, which is archaic English for someone who doesn’t work.
8. Ierardi – is the southern Italian form of the Germanic Gerard, meaning “spear brave.”
9. Iffland – has roots in the German ethnic term for someone from Livonia (Livland).
10. Iglesia – derives from the Spanish word for “church,” denoting someone dwelling by such a building.
11. Ignacio – is the Filipino-Spanish and Galician form of the Latin Ignatius, possibly conflated with “ignis” (fire).
12. Ignatov – means “son of Ignat,” a Russian-Bulgarian form of the Latin Ignatius.
13. Ikehara – means “field/plain with a pond” in Japanese.
14. Ilacqua – is Italian for “John (of) the water,” from Ianni (John) and l’acqua (the water).
15. Iliescu – stems from the Romanian form of Elias (Elijah), meaning “son of Ilie.”
16. Indongo – is a Namibian surname of uncertain meaning.
17. Inghams – originates from the Old English given name Inga, combined with “hāms” (homesteads).
18. Ingland – an uncommon surname possibly from the Old English Engelond, denoting a meadow by a river.
19. Íñiguez – means “son of Íñigo” in Spanish, a medieval form of the Basque Eneko (my little one).
20. Inkster – is Scottish, likely rooted in the Old Norse “sǽtr” (mountain pasture) or “setr” (house/dwelling).
21. Ionesco – a Romanian variant of Ionescu, meaning “son of Ion” (son of John).
22. Ionescu – is Romanian for “son of Ion,” from the given name John (Jehovah is gracious).
23. Ireland – stems from the Irish-English ethnic term rooted in Old English, meaning “Irishmen’s land.”
24. Isaksen – a Norwegian surname meaning “son of Isak,” the Scandinavian form of Isaac (laughter).
25. Ivankov – is Bulgarian for “little Ivan,” ultimately from John (Jehovah is gracious).
26. Iversen – is Norwegian-Danish for “son of Iver,” from the Old Norse for “bowman” or “Ing’s warrior.”
27. Iverson – an English spelling of the Norwegian-Danish Iversen, meaning “archer/bowman” or “Ing’s warrior.”
28. Iwamoto – a common surname in Japan, denoting someone living near the “base of a cliff.”
29. Iwasaki – stems from the Japanese kanji for “rocky cape, rock peninsula.”

8-Letter Last Names That Start With I

Here are 36 unique 8-letter surnames beginning with I.

1. Iacovone – is Italian, from Iacovo (Jacob), and the suffix “-one” (big/large).
2. Iadarola – means “Ianni (John) from Arola” in Italian.
3. Iadevaia – from the Italian form of John and the location Vaia, meaning “Ianni (John) from Vaia.”
4. Iannelli – a southern Italian patronymic or plural form of Iannello, meaning “little Ianni (John).”
5. Iannello – a diminutive of the Italian surname Ianni (John), meaning “little Ianni.”
6. Iannetta – a feminine form of the Italian diminutive of Ianni (John), used as a matronymic.
7. Iannotti – is an Italian patronymic or plural form of Iannotto, a diminutive of Ianni (John).
8. Iannucci – an Italian patronymic or plural form of a diminutive of Ianni (John).
9. Iannuzzi – stems from a pet form of the Italian Ianni (John), denoting a “son of Ianni.”
10. Iantosca – a rare Swiss and Italian combination of Ian (from Ianni) and Tosca.
11. Iaquinta – a feminine form of the southern Italian Iaquinto, from Giacinto (Hyacinthus).
12. Iaquinto – a southern Italian variant of Giacinto, an Italian form of the Greek-Latin Hyacinthus.
13. Iavarone – from a southern Italian diminutive of Ianni (John) and “varone” (baron).
14. Ibbotson – means “son of Hibbs,” a diminutive of the Norman Hibbert, from Hildebert (battle famous).
15. Icenhour – derives from the German Eisenhauer/Isenhouer, meaning “iron hewer.”
16. Icenogle – an uncommon Americanized form of the German Eisnagel, meaning “iron nail.”
17. Ichikawa – means “market river” in Japanese and is quite popular in Japan.
18. Igarashi – means “fifty storms” in Japanese.
19. Iglehart – an Americanized form of the German Eichelhardt, meaning “oak meadow.”
20. Iglesias – is Spanish for “churches.”
21. Ignasiak – is a Polish surname meaning “son of Ignacy,” from Ignatius.
22. Ignatiev – means “son of Ignatiy/Ignaty” in Russian, from the Latin Ignatius.
23. Ignatius – stems from the Latin Egnatius, of uncertain meaning, but altered to resemble “ignis” (fire/ardent).
24. Ingesson – means “son of Inge” in Swedish, rooted in the Scandinavian and Germanic god Ing.
25. Iordanou – derives from the Jordan River, rooted in the Hebrew “yarad,” meaning “descend, flow down.”
26. Ironhawk – an Anglicization of a Lakota Sioux (Native American language) given name, limited to America.
27. Ironside – is Scottish-English, from the Old English-Old Scots “īren-sīde,” denoting an iron-clad warrior.
28. Ironwing – an English translation of a Native American surname.
29. Isaacson – means “son of Isaac,” from the Hebrew Yitzchaq, meaning “laughter.”
30. Isaksson – is Swedish for “son of Isak,” from the Hebrew Isaac (laughter).
31. Isbester – stems from the Old Norse Asbjorn rooted in “ísbister,” meaning “house by a waterfall.”
32. Isbister – is Scottish rooted in the Old Norse “bólstathr,” meaning “farm.”
33. Ishikawa – means “rocky river/stream” in Japanese.
34. Ismailov – is Slavic for “son of Isma’il,” from the Hebrew Ishmael (God hears/listens).
35. Ismoilov – means “son of Ismoil,” an Uzbek form of Ishmael (God hears/listens).
36. Ivarsson – is Swedish, meaning “son of Ivar,” from the Old Norse Ívarr (yew tree/bow warrior).

Longer Surnames Starting With I

Here are 28 long last names that start with I.

1. Iaccarino – originates from an Italian diminutive of Iacco, a variant of Giacco (Jacob).
2. Iacobelli – has roots in the Latin suffix “belonging to/of,” and the Italian given name Iacobello.
3. Iacobucci – means “son of Iaco(bus),” an Italian variant of Jacob from the Hebrew Yaakov (supplanter).
4. Iacovelli – stems from an Italian form of the Hebrew Yaakov, meaning “supplanter.”
5. Iannaccone – is southern Italian for “Big John,” from an extended form of Ianni.
6. Iannarelli – stems from a diminutive of the Italian Ianni (John) or Gennaro (Januarius).
7. Ianniello – an Italian diminutive of Ianni (John), used as a surname.
8. Ibrahimović – is Bosnian for “son of Ibrahim” and an Arabic form of Abraham (father of multitudes).
9. Icenhower – a rare Americanized form of the German Eisenhauer, meaning “iron hewer.”
10. Igleheart – an Americanized form of the German Eichelhardt, meaning “oak meadow.”
11. Ignatowski – a place in Lublin that stems from the Polish Ignacy (Ignatius).
12. Ihejirika – is Western African Igbo meaning “the one that I have is greater.”
13. Ihlenfeld – denotes someone dwelling in the “meadow/field near the Ihle River” in Northern German.
14. Ihlenfeldt – a variant of the North German Ihlenfeld, for someone dwelling near the Ihle river.
15. Ikenberry – is an Americanization of the Germanic Eichenberg (oak hill/mountain).
16. Ingersleben – taken from a German town, meaning “Inge’s village.”
17. Ingólfsson – means “son of Ingólfr” in Icelandic, from the Old Norse Ingólf (Ing’s wolf).
18. Inksetter – is used in Canada, but of uncertain meaning.
19. Innerdale – is used in England and Wales, but of uncertain meaning.
20. Innocenti – stems from the Italian nickname “innocente,” meaning “innocent, not harming.”
21. Inverarity – is a Scottish Gaelic place name, from “inbhir” (river mouth) and the river Arity (slow).
22. Ioannidis – means “son of Ioannis” in Greek, making it equivalent to Johnson.
23. Ironcloud – stems from the Native American Lakota Sioux “mahpiya” (cloud) and “máza” (metal).
24. Ironshell – also written as Iron Shell, from the Native American Lakota “thukíha” (shell) and “máza” (metal).
25. İsmayılov – is Slavic for “son of Isma(y)il,” the Azerbaijani form of Ishmael (God hears/listens).
26. Iturburua – derives from the Basque word “irutti,” meaning “(by the) fountain, spring.”
27. Ivanković – is Croatian-Serbian for “son of Ivan,” from John, meaning “Jehovah has been gracious.”
28. Ixtabalan – likely rooted in the Mayan prefix “ix” (female), limited to Guatemala and the U.S.