Last names as first names for girls – the coolest modern trend in baby names!
Choosing the perfect name for your baby is a difficult task for many expecting parents. A popular trend right now is using traditional surnames for first names for both baby boys and girls. Using a traditional last name for your baby’s first name is creative and interesting – and there’s so MANY to choose from. Even better, pretty much ALL of these names can be used no matter the gender of the baby (so feel free to read on if you’re expecting a boy – you’ll find loads of great name options here.)
Here are 50+ adorable last names to consider using for your baby girl’s first name.
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1. Abbey (English) – Nunnery
Abbey gives the very popular name Abigail a fresh and gothic feel and it is also a common English surname.
2. Adair (English) – Fortune and Spear
This name started gaining popularity in the 1980’s, and while it is not the most common it is a beautiful name.
3. Arden (English) – From the Eagle Valley
Arden is more popular as a surname than as a first name but it entered the popularity charts in 2015 and 2016.
4. Bellamy (French) – Good Friend
While names like Isabella and Annabella are quite popular, Bellamy is a more unique “Bella” name.
5. Campbell (Scottish) – Beautiful Field
Campbell is a common last name in Scotland and has been used as a character name in many recent books and shows.
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6. Cassidy (Irish) – Curly Haired
The last name Cassidy comes from the Irish word “caiside,” which means clever, making it a cute baby name.
7. Collins (English) – Family of Coilean
This last name finally made it into the popularity charts thanks to the movie The Blind Side.
8. Darby (English) – From the Deer Park Farm
Darby started out as a common boy’s name in Ireland, but now it is gaining in popularity as a girl’s name.
9. Delaney (English) – From The Alder Grove
Delaney is a fairly common name, both first and last, and it can be shortened to adorable nicknames like Laney or Layne.
10. Harlow (English) – From the Mound of the People
Harlow has a bit of an old Hollywood feel, but is still modern and fresh at the same time.
11. Kennedy (Irish) – Misshapen Head
This is one of the most popular girl’s names today and is a combination of classic and trendy.
12. Kinsley (English) – From Cyne’s Field
This name has quickly become more and more popular, but it was originally an English last name.
13. Mackenzie (Scottish) – Child of Kenneth
Over the past few years, Mackenzie has become a highly popular name for girls, but it was originally a boy’s name.
14. Madison (English) – Child of Matthew
Madison remains to be one of the most popular and long standing surname used as a first name.
15. McKenna (Scottish) – Child of Kenneth
Mckenna is derived from the Scottish last name Mac Cionaoith.
16. Addison (English) – Child of Adam
Addison has become quite a popular girl’s name in recent years, though it was originally a boy’s name (the -son gives it away.)
17. Adler (German) – Eagle
Adler is a German name that is increasing in popularity – it is also quite a common surname.
18. Avery (English) – Elf King
A very popular name that is split between boys and girls – a great name for a modern baby!
19. Bailey (English) – Bailiff or Steward
This name began its rise to popularity in ‘team blue’. But, recently, it’s been even more popular for the girls!
20. Blake (English) – Pale Blond One or Dark
This gorgeous name is perfect for either a boy or a girl. Blake Lively is a famous bearer of this one.
21. Brady (Irish) – Descendant of Bradach
A spirited name which is a great choice for a girl.
22. Bryant (Irish) – Child of Brian
Bryant is more unique than the common Brian and can be used for either a boy or a girl.
23. Cameron (Scottish) – Bent Nose
A truly unisex name with a most peculiar meaning. It still sounds great though and classy for either gender.
24. Carson (English) – Neutral
A top boy name for many years, Carson is now finding its way into popularity with ‘team pink.’
25. Carter (English) – Driver of a Cart
While Carter is still more popular as a boy’s name, it has been gaining in popularity for girls since 2013.
26. Dylan (Welsh) – Child of the Sea
A poetic name for a girl – Dylan recalls famous singer Bob Dylan.
27. Easton (English) – From The East Town
This last name is quickly becoming a more and more popular choice for baby’s first name.
28. Ellis (English) – The Lord is My God
Ellis, as well as similar surname Ellison, is popular as a more unisex version of the name Ella (which you could TOTALLY use as a nickname.)
29. Emerson (English) – Child of Emery
If Emma, or Emily is too boring, try Emerson! It’s rising in popularity with the girls these last few years.
30. Finley (Scottish) – Fair Warrior or Hero
Originally, Finley was considered a boy’s name but now it is truly gender neutral with an almost even split between how common it is used for boys and girls.
31. Grey (English) – Grey Haired
Grey is a soft name and a take on the British spelling of the color gray.
32. Harper (English) – Harp Player
Harper was originally strictly a boy’s name but has took off as a girl’s name in recent years- it has been in the top 10 names for girls since 2015. What a whimsical and beautiful name.
33. Hendrix (English) – Child of Hendrick
Hendrix has been becoming a popular unisex name, in honor of Jimi Hendrix.
34. Kiernan (Irish) – Child of a Lord
Kiernan is a less common Irish surname but it still makes a beautiful name for both boys and girls.
35. Lennon (Irish) – Dear One
This name, also meaning lover, is one of many popular musician last names that are commonly used today. Named for John Lennon.
36. Marley (English) – From The Boundary Field
Marley is one of the top unisex names and can also be spelled Marlee for a more original spin. It’s another name that may be inspired by a popular musician – Bob Marley.
37. McKinley (Irish) – Fair Haired Foreigner
This is part of another raising trend – Presidential names (like Lincoln and Kennedy).
38. Monroe (Scottish) – From The Hill
This Scottish surname is suitable to use for both boys and girls, but is catching up in girls, possibly due to Marilyn Monroe.
39. Parker (English) – Park Keeper
Parker is used about three times more for boys than girls, but it is becoming more and more popular for little girls.
40. Peyton (English) – From Pacca’s Town
This surname is very popular for both boys and girls.
41. Presley (English) – From the Priest’s Field
Presley is becoming more and more popular as a first name for both boys and girls, and many celebrities are even naming their children Presley after the famous Elvis Presley.
42. Quinn (Irish) – Descendent of Conn
Although Quinn has become more of a girl’s name since the 1990’s, it also makes for a nice boy’s name.
43. Reagan (Irish) – Little King
Reagan comes from “descendant of kings” making it a great name choice for your little prince or princess.
44. Reeve (English) – Steward or Bailiff
Reeve is a less common, and more modern sounding, name than another common surname- Reese.
45. Riley (Irish) – Descendant of Roghallach
Riley is a common surname in Ireland and England, but is also a common first name here in the US and can also be spelled Rylee, Ryleigh, and Reilly.
46. Rowan (English) – From The Rowan Tree
Rowan was seen as more of a boy’s name until it entered the top 1000 girl’s names for the first time in 2003.
47. Sawyer (English) – Wood Cutter
Sawyer is truly gender neutral and is raising in popularity for both sexes.
48. Sutton (English) – From The South Town
On top of being a surname, Sutton is also a good place name.
49. Taylor (English) – One Who Tailors Clothes
Taylor was very popular in the 80’s, 90’s, and 00’s, and while it is not as common now, it is still a classy unisex surname name.
50. Tyler (English) – Tile Maker
Tyler is an Old English name and is more common as a boy’s name but is also a cute girls name.
More Baby Name Inspiration
Checkout our other baby name posts for girls here:
50+ Cute and Uncommon Baby Girl Names (That Definitely aren’t overused)
50+ Boys Names For Girls (Steal them Now!)
65+ Nature Inspired Baby Girl Names
45+ Royal Baby Girl Names Fit for A Little Princess!
38+ Modern Baby Girl Names with Cute Nicknames
30+ Sweet and Sassy Southern Baby Girl Names for Your Baby Belle
100+ Old-Fashioned Baby Girl Names (Popular & Uncommon Grandma Chic!)