200+ Incredible Last Names That Start With I

Are you looking for last names that start with I? You have come to the right place. We curated an extensive inventory of over 200 surnames to help your search.

We cover identities and inspirations from around the globe. This list includes common choices, such as Ingram and Irwin, alongside rarer finds like Ikeda and Iliev.

We also illuminate the meanings and origins 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 the letter I.

1. I: This is a Korean variant of Lee. It derives from the Chinese surname Li and means “plum” or “plum tree.”
2. Ie: This comes from Chinese characters for “surplus” or “remaining.” It is most common in Cambodia.
3. Im: A highly common name in South Korea. It originates from the Sino-Korean character for “forest” or “dependable.”
4. In: This is a Khmer variant of Lin. It comes from the Chinese character for “forest.”
5. Ip: The Cantonese form of the Mandarin Chinese Yip. It means “leaf,” “harmony,” or “page.”
6. Iu: This stems from Chinese characters for “poplar tree” or “outstanding.” It is also a common surname in Vietnam.
7. Ix: A rare surname from Mexico. It likely denotes the Mayan jaguar goddess Ixchel, also known as the rainbow lady.

3-Letter Last Names That Start with I

Check out these 12 unique 3-letter I last names.

1. Ibe: A German variant of Ivo. It can also mean “water well” in Japanese or “family” in the Nigerian Igbo language.
2. Ice: An Americanization of the Yiddish-German Eis, meaning “iron.” It may also derive from the Germanic word for “sword.”
3. Ida: This is pronounced “EE-DA.” It combines Japanese characters for “well” and “rice field.”
4. Ide: A Japanese name combining “well” and “exit.” Rarely, it denotes an “archer.”
5. Ige: A West African Yoruba word for “born feet-first.” It is also Japanese for “technique.”
6. Igo: This may have Irish-Norman roots from Mac Igó. It is also Basque for “to ascend.”
7. Iha: A popular 3-letter Japanese surname. It possibly means “those waves” or “stone.”
8. Ihm: A rare English surname of uncertain meaning. It has about 1,116 bearers worldwide.
9. Ike: This means “pond” or “pool” in Japanese. It signifies “divine power” in the Nigerian Igbo language.
10. Ion: This stems from the Basque and Romanian form of John. It means “Jehovah is gracious.”
11. Itō: This means “this wisteria” in Japanese. It is the 406th most common surname worldwide.
12. Ivy: A name derived from the Anglo-Saxon Ive. It 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: This originates from the Old Irish clan name Innes. It comes from the Gaelic word for “island.”
2. Icke: A derivative of the Middle High German word for “sword.” It may also come from the Frisian name Ico.
3. Idah: A variant English spelling of the Japanese Ida. It refers to a rice paddy with a well.
4. Iden: Rooted in Old English words for “pasture by the yew trees.” It likely denotes fens.
5. Idle: An English variant of Idell or German Eitel. It can also come from the Old Welsh Iudhail, meaning “bountiful lord.”
6. Idol: A rare Anglo-Saxon surname. It is borne by fewer than 2,000 people worldwide.
7. Ifft: A locational name. It derives from Thuringia, Germany, known as Ifta.
8. Igel: A Jewish Ashkenazi nickname. It comes from the Middle High German word for “hedgehog.”
9. Igoe: An Irish name. It possibly comes from the Gaelic Ó hUigínn, meaning “descendant of Uigínn.”
10. Igou: An Irish form of the Norman Igo or Ingou. It is rooted in the Scandinavian name for “Ing’s wolf.”
11. Ihde: This has roots in the Germanic element “id.” It means “work” or “labor.”
12. Ihle: A Danish-German name for someone living near the river Ihle. It comes from the Old Norse for “spring.”
13. Iida: This means “cooked rice field” in Japanese. It is distinct from Ida.
14. Ikin: A Scottish-English name derived from Adam and “kin.” It is also a matronymic diminutive of Ida.
15. Ilić: A Siberian-Croatian name meaning “son of Ilija.” It links to the Hebrew Elijah.
16. Imai: A highly popular Japanese name. It combines kanji for “present” and “well.”
17. İnce: A Turkish word for “thin” or “slim.” It is highly common in Turkey.
18. Inch: Rooted in the Anglo-Saxon location “of Ince.” It is also a variant of the Scottish Innes.
19. Insh: A rare Scottish surname. It derives from the Scottish-Irish word for “island.”
20. Iron: This derives from the Old English word for “metal iron.” It possibly denotes a blacksmith.
21. Iver: A Norwegian variant of Ivar. It is rooted in the Old Norse for “yew bow warrior.”
22. Ivey: This means “from Ivoy” in Norman. It is also Anglo-Saxon for “son of Ive.”
23. Ivov: A Bulgarian diminutive of Ivan. It means “son of Ivo” or John.
24. Iwai: A common Japanese surname. It means “well by the cliff.”
25. Iyer: This denotes a “respected person.” It is found in Tamil and other Dravidian languages.

5-Letter Last Names Starting with I

Browse through these 55 beautiful 5-letter surnames beginning with I.

1. Ianni: An Italian form of Gianni. It traces back to John, meaning “Jehovah is gracious.”
2. Ibach: An uncommon German surname. It combines words for “oak tree” and “stream.”
3. Ibaka: A Central African surname. The meaning is uncertain but may relate to “man” or “mule.”
4. Ibbot: A variant of the English Ibbott. It serves as a diminutive of Isabel.
5. Ibsen: A Danish name meaning “son of Ib.” Ib is a form of Jacob.
6. Icard: The French form of the Germanic Ichard. It means “brave hedgehog.”
7. Ickes: A variant of the English Hicks. It is also a German name of uncertain meaning.
8. Idell: Rooted in the Old English word for “idle” or “unused.” It denotes uncultivated land.
9. Idema: A Dutch and Frisian patronymic. It means “son of Ide” and is common in the Netherlands.
10. Ideus: A rare Germanic surname. There are about 480 bearers worldwide.
11. Idler: An Americanized form of the German Adler. It means “eagle.”
12. Iezzi: A southern Italian variant of Ghezzi. It means “dark haired” or “dark skinned.”
13. Ifill: This stems from Old English words for “yew tree” and “open country.”
14. Ihnat: A rare Ukrainian and Slovak form of the Latin surname Ignatius. The meaning is uncertain.
15. Ihnen: A Frisian-German patronymic. It derives from a Germanic name meaning “great powerful.”
16. Ihrig: A German name from Iring. The meaning is uncertain.
17. Ihrke: This means “son of Aafje.” It consists of the Germanic element for “elf.”
18. Iiams: A rare Anglo-Saxon surname. It means “son of Emma.”
19. Ijams: A rare Americanized spelling of the Old Irish Iams. It means “island.”
20. Ikard: An Americanized form of Ikerd. It comes from the German Eichert, meaning “dwells by the oak.”
21. Ikeda: A common name in Japan. It means “rice paddy near the pond.”
22. Ikerd: An English form of the German Eichert. It refers to someone living by an oak.
23. Ikner: An English variant of the German Eichner. It denotes someone who worked with oak wood.
24. Iliev: This means “son of Iliya” in Bulgaria. It is extremely common in North Macedonia.
25. Illés: The Hungarian form of Elias. It means “my God is Jehovah.”
26. Ilves: An Estonian nickname meaning “lynx.” It is highly popular in its home country.
27. Imbry: This derives from Old French Amauri. It is rooted in the Gothic Amalric, meaning “brave ruler.”
28. Imlah: A name of uncertain meaning. It has about 369 bearers worldwide.
29. Imlay: A variant of the Scottish Imlach. It comes from the Gaelic word for “marshy land.”
30. Imre: The Hungarian form of Emmerich. It means “great and brave ruler.”
31. Imrie: A common name in Scotland. It comes from the Old French forms of Amalric.
32. Inaba: This stems from a Japanese nickname. It combines kanji for “leaves of the rice plant.”
33. Inada: A Japanese name. It means “rice plant field” or “paddy.”
34. Inari: A rare surname. It honors the Japanese Shinto god of harvests and means “carrying rice.”
35. Inbar: This is transferred from the Hebrew feminine given name Inbar. It means “amber.”
36. Ingle: An English name from Old Norse. It relates to Ing’s might or wolf.
37. Inman: This means “innkeeper” in English. It has medieval Anglo-Saxon roots.
38. Innes: This derives from the Gaelic word for “river island.” It also links to the Scottish Aonghus.
39. Innis: An origin from the Scottish and Irish Gaelic word for “river island.”
40. Inoue: A Japanese name. It means “above the well.”
41. Inrig: A Scottish surname used in Canada. It possibly comes from a location called Inchbrayock.
42. Insch: Rooted in the Scottish Gaelic word for “island.”
43. Irons: A Scottish name meaning “from the lands of Irnys.” It can also mean “dweller by the sands.”
44. Irven: A variant of the Scottish Irvin. It means “green water” or “fresh water.”
45. Irvin: This stems from the Scottish Irvine or English Irwin. It can mean “boar friend.”
46. Irwin: Rooted in the Old English Eoforwine. It means “boar friend.”
47. Isaac: Derived from the given name Isaac. It is based on the Hebrew word for “laughter.”
48. Isaev: A Russian name meaning “son of Isay.” It links to Isaiah and “salvation of Jehovah.”
49. Isles: An Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from the Old French word for “island.”
50. Ivers: An English-Irish name meaning “son of Ivor.” It comes from Old Norse for “yew tree warrior.”
51. Ivory: From the Anglo-Saxon Ivor. It also means “from Ivry-la-Bataille” in France.
52. Iwata: A Japanese name. It means “rice paddy on the cliffs.”
53. Izatt: A name with Norman and Scottish roots. It might derive from Izzard, meaning “admired.”
54. Izett: A rare English surname. The meaning remains uncertain.
55. Izumi: A Japanese surname and unisex given name. It means “spring” or “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,” meaning deacon. It may be a diminutive of Giacco.
2. Iacono: This means “deacon” in southern Italian. It comes from the Greek word for “servant.”
3. I’Anson: A variant of the Scandinavian Janson. It means “son of Jan.”
4. Ibanez: An Anglicized spelling of the Spanish surname Ibáñez. It means “son of Ibán.”
5. Ibáñez: This means “son of Ibán.” It is a Spanish form of John.
6. Ibarra: This stems from the Basque word for “valley.” It specifically denotes a valley with a river.
7. Ibbott: Derived from the Norman Hildebert. It may also come from Ibota, a diminutive of Isabel.
8. Ideker: This means “of the Ide family.” It uses the Germanic root for “work.”
9. Ignácz: This stems from the Hungarian Ignác. It is a form of Latin Ignatius.
10. Ikeler: An Americanized variant of the German Eichler. It means “dweller near the oak tree.”
11. Ilagan: Derived from a Filipino Tagalog nickname. It means “to evade” or “avoid.”
12. Ilbert: A Norman name. It comes from the Old German word for “battle famous.”
13. Imbert: This means “vast brightness” in French and Catalan. It derives from a Germanic given name.
14. Inches: A Scottish-English name. It may denote a small parcel of land or derive from Innes.
15. Ingham: This means “Inga’s homestead” in Old English. It was the name of several locations.
16. Ingles: This means “the Englishman” in Spanish. It is also a variant of Ingle.
17. Inglis: A Scottish-English name. It comes from the Old English word for “Englishman.”
18. Ingram: This stems from Germanic elements for “angel” and “raven.”
19. Ingrem: A rare variant of Ingram. It likely means “angel raven.”
20. Irvine: An English variant of Irwin. It is also Scottish-Brythonic for “green water.”
21. Irving: A Scottish-English variant of Irvine or Irwin. It relates to “boar friend” or “fresh water.”
22. Isaacs: This means “son of Isaac.” It comes from the Hebrew word for “laughter.”
23. Isdale: An English name. The meaning is uncertain but likely connects to “dale” or “valley.”
24. Ishida: A common Japanese name. It means “stony rice paddy.”
25. Ismail: This stems from the Arabic surname Isma’il. It is a form of Ishmael, meaning “God hears.”
26. Ivanov: A Russian and Bulgarian surname. It means “son of Ivan,” a form of John.
27. Ivanow: A Belarusian form of Ivanov. It means “son of Ivan.”
28. Ivanoŭ: A variant spelling of the Belarusian Ivanow. It also means “son of Ivan.”

7-Letter Surnames Starting with I

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

1. Iafrate: A combination name. It mixes the southern Italian diminutive of Ianni with “frate” (brother).
2. Iandoli: A rare southern Italian patronymic. It comes from Iandolo and the Germanic Candolo.
3. Iannone: An Italian name combining Iann (John) with a suffix for “big” or “large.”
4. Iarussi: An Italian variant of Giarrusso. It combines Ianni with “russo” (red).
5. Ibrahim: The Arabic form of Abraham. It is a common surname in Nigeria.
6. Iddings: An English name from the Old Norse Ithunn. It combines elements meaning “to love again.”
7. Idleman: An Americanized form of the Jewish Idelman. It refers to someone who does not work.
8. Ierardi: The southern Italian form of Gerard. It means “spear brave.”
9. Iffland: A German ethnic term. It refers to someone from Livonia.
10. Iglesia: Derived from the Spanish word for “church.” It denotes someone dwelling by such a building.
11. Ignacio: A Filipino-Spanish form of Ignatius. It is possibly conflated with “fire.”
12. Ignatov: This means “son of Ignat.” It is a Russian-Bulgarian form of Ignatius.
13. Ikehara: A Japanese name. It means “field with a pond.”
14. Ilacqua: Italian for “John of the water.” It combines Ianni and l’acqua.
15. Iliescu: This stems from the Romanian form of Elias. It means “son of Ilie.”
16. Indongo: A Namibian surname. The meaning is currently uncertain.
17. Inghams: Originating from the Old English name Inga. It combines with “homesteads.”
18. Ingland: An uncommon surname. It possibly comes from Old English for “meadow by a river.”
19. Íñiguez: This means “son of Íñigo” in Spanish. It is a medieval form of Eneko.
20. Inkster: A Scottish name. It is likely rooted in Old Norse words for “mountain pasture.”
21. Ionesco: A Romanian variant of Ionescu. It means “son of Ion.”
22. Ionescu: Romanian for “son of Ion.” It comes from the given name John.
23. Ireland: An Irish-English ethnic term. It means “Irishmen’s land.”
24. Isaksen: A Norwegian surname. It means “son of Isak,” a form of Isaac.
25. Ivankov: Bulgarian for “little Ivan.” It traces back to John.
26. Iversen: Norwegian-Danish for “son of Iver.” It refers to a bowman or warrior.
27. Iverson: An English spelling of Iversen. It means “archer” or “Ing’s warrior.”
28. Iwamoto: A common Japanese surname. It denotes someone living near the base of a cliff.
29. Iwasaki: This stems from Japanese kanji. It means “rocky cape” or “rock peninsula.”

8-Letter Last Names That Start with I

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

1. Iacovone: An Italian name. It comes from Iacovo (Jacob) and a suffix meaning “big.”
2. Iadarola: This means “Ianni from Arola” in Italian.
3. Iadevaia: An Italian name meaning “Ianni from Vaia.”
4. Iannelli: A southern Italian patronymic. It means “little Ianni.”
5. Iannello: A diminutive of the Italian surname Ianni.
6. Iannetta: A feminine form of the Italian diminutive of Ianni. It is used as a matronymic.
7. Iannotti: An Italian patronymic of Iannotto. It traces back to John.
8. Iannucci: An Italian patronymic. It derives from a diminutive of Ianni.
9. Iannuzzi: This stems from a pet form of Ianni. It denotes a “son of Ianni.”
10. Iantosca: A rare Swiss and Italian name. It combines Ian and Tosca.
11. Iaquinta: A feminine form of the southern Italian Iaquinto. It comes from Hyacinthus.
12. Iaquinto: A southern Italian variant of Giacinto. It links to the Greek Hyacinthus.
13. Iavarone: A name combining a diminutive of Ianni with “varone” (baron).
14. Ibbotson: This means “son of Hibbs.” Hibbs is a diminutive of the Norman Hibbert.
15. Icenhour: Derived from the German Eisenhauer. It means “iron hewer.”
16. Icenogle: An uncommon Americanized form of Eisnagel. It means “iron nail.”
17. Ichikawa: A popular Japanese name. It means “market river.”
18. Igarashi: A Japanese name meaning “fifty storms.”
19. Iglehart: An Americanized form of Eichelhardt. It means “oak meadow.”
20. Iglesias: This is Spanish for “churches.”
21. Ignasiak: A Polish surname. It means “son of Ignacy.”
22. Ignatiev: Russian for “son of Ignatiy.” It comes from the Latin Ignatius.
23. Ignatius: Stemming from the Latin Egnatius. It is often associated with “fire.”
24. Ingesson: Swedish for “son of Inge.” It is rooted in the Germanic god Ing.
25. Iordanou: Derived from the Jordan River. It means “descend” or “flow down.”
26. Ironhawk: An Anglicization of a Lakota Sioux given name. It is found in America.
27. Ironside: A Scottish-English name. It denotes an iron-clad warrior.
28. Ironwing: An English translation of a Native American surname.
29. Isaacson: This means “son of Isaac.” It comes from the Hebrew word for “laughter.”
30. Isaksson: Swedish for “son of Isak.” It links to Isaac.
31. Isbester: Stems from the Old Norse Asbjorn. It relates to a house by a waterfall.
32. Isbister: A Scottish name. It is rooted in the Old Norse word for “farm.”
33. Ishikawa: A Japanese name meaning “rocky river” or “stream.”
34. Ismailov: Slavic for “son of Isma’il.” It traces back to Ishmael.
35. Ismoilov: An Uzbek form of Ishmael. It means “son of Ismoil.”
36. Ivarsson: Swedish for “son of Ivar.” It refers to a yew tree or warrior.

Longer Surnames Starting with I

Here are 28 long last names that start with the letter I.

1. Iaccarino: Derived from an Italian diminutive of Iacco. It is a variant of Jacob.
2. Iacobelli: Rooted in the Italian given name Iacobello.
3. Iacobucci: This means “son of Iacobus.” It is an Italian variant of Jacob.
4. Iacovelli: Stems from an Italian form of Hebrew Yaakov. It means “supplanter.”
5. Iannaccone: Southern Italian for “Big John.” It is an extended form of Ianni.
6. Iannarelli: Stems from a diminutive of Ianni or Gennaro.
7. Ianniello: An Italian diminutive of Ianni. It is used as a surname.
8. Ibrahimović: Bosnian for “son of Ibrahim.” It is an Arabic form of Abraham.
9. Icenhower: A rare Americanized form of Eisenhauer. It means “iron hewer.”
10. Igleheart: An Americanized form of Eichelhardt. It means “oak meadow.”
11. Ignatowski: A place name in Lublin. It stems from the Polish Ignacy.
12. Ihejirika: A Western African Igbo name. It means “the one that I have is greater.”
13. Ihlenfeld: A North German name. It denotes someone dwelling in the meadow near the Ihle River.
14. Ihlenfeldt: A variant of Ihlenfeld. It refers to the Ihle River area.
15. Ikenberry: An Americanization of Eichenberg. It means “oak hill.”
16. Ingersleben: Taken from a German town. It means “Inge’s village.”
17. Ingólfsson: Icelandic for “son of Ingólfr.” It means “Ing’s wolf.”
18. Inksetter: A name used in Canada. The meaning is uncertain.
19. Innerdale: Used in England and Wales. The exact meaning is uncertain.
20. Innocenti: Stems from an Italian nickname. It means “innocent” or “harming.”
21. Inverarity: A Scottish Gaelic place name. It relates to a river mouth.
22. Ioannidis: Greek for “son of Ioannis.” It is the Greek equivalent of Johnson.
23. Ironcloud: Stems from the Native American Lakota Sioux. It combines words for “cloud” and “metal.”
24. Ironshell: Also written as Iron Shell. It comes from Lakota words for “shell” and “metal.”
25. İsmayılov: Slavic for “son of Ismayil.” It is the Azerbaijani form of Ishmael.
26. Iturburua: Derived from the Basque word “irutti.” It means “by the fountain.”
27. Ivanković: Croatian-Serbian for “son of Ivan.” It means “Jehovah has been gracious.”
28. Ixtabalan: Likely rooted in the Mayan prefix for “female.” It is found in Guatemala and the U.S.

FAQs

What Is the Most Common Last Name Starting with I?

Ingram is widely considered one of the most common surnames starting with this letter, especially in English-speaking countries. Globally, Asian surnames like Ito and Islam also rank very highly.

Are There Many Japanese Surnames Starting with I?

Yes, the letter I is very common for Japanese surnames. Popular examples include Ito, Inoue, Ishida, and Ikeda. Many of these names relate to nature, such as rice fields, wells, or rivers.

What Are Common Spanish Last Names Starting with I?

Ibarra, Iglesias, and Ibáñez are frequently found in Spain and Latin America. Ibarra refers to a valley, Iglesias means churches, and Ibáñez denotes the son of Ibán (John).