You may want a last name for yourself, fictional characters of your novel, or usernames for your social media handles and gaming. You may be looking for something that is either not common or not too different, making it sound fake. 

If you are tired of finding an appropriate last name, then don’t worry. I have compiled a list of beautiful and unique last names from various sources. As you read this write-up, you will discover many uncommon last names you can use after your official name, any fantasy character’s name, and much more.

Helpful Tips to Select A Last Name

Before you start exploring the list of last names, let’s first understand how a last name should be chosen. Let’s start by going through such useful tips:

Understand Its Meaning

Every name has a specific meaning attached to it. Once you choose a name, its meaning directly influences your character, and thus your personality is built that way. To attain the right personality, you should do extensive research regarding the meaning of any last name.

Try to analyze how that meaning can affect your character. Think if it can have a positive or negative influence on you. Doing so can help you improve your present personality.

Check the Equation Between Your First Name And Last Name

This tip may be known to you already but still, it’s worth mentioning here also because it’s the most significant one. Many people think about how their first name will sound with their last name. The more it sounds better while saying, the more will be the chances that you will be selecting it as your real name.

To make a better decision, it’s suggested that you say the full name aloud 3-4 times in different scenarios. This will give you a clear understanding of whether to opt for that last name or not.

Analyze How A Last Name Can Match Your Character’s Persona.

Let’s assume you are choosing the last names for the novel’s illusionary characters. You know your characters perfectly, but your readers don’t. To make it easy for them to understand the persona of every character well, you need to make a wise decision in terms of choosing the last name of the characters. 

Try to think about what feeling it can generate when the last name is added to the characters’ first name. Hence, how readers will feel is an important factor to take into consideration while choosing the last name for your imaginary characters.

Observe the Uniqueness

The type of character decides the uniqueness of the last name you choose. Besides, you must observe to what extent your readers will feel connected with the name. Either it may engage the readers or distract them from the story completely. 

Unique Last Names for Girls

Let’s have a look at some of the unique last names for girls: 

1. Abella

The word is derived from Galician, Abella, which means a bee. Those who are beekeepers are given this name mostly. Sometimes, it’s also given to someone who is small and active, just like a bee. 

2. Amana 

This female surname, Amana, has been discovered in Hebrew origin, which means faithful, loyal, or trustworthy.

3. Ashley/Ashleigh

The word Ashley is from two words aesoc or ash and Leah. The combination of these words means the “one who lives in a field of grass near the ash tree.” Ashleigh is the feminine form of the surname of Ashley.

4. Bardot

This is a very prestigious type of surname. This royal last name is traced back to the French town of Perigord in the Middle Ages period. Besides, you will be amazed to know that Brigitte Anne-Marie, who was a singer and actress earlier, has now become a famous French animal rights activist.

5. Barlowe

Barlowe is a surname that is based on a geographical region. The surname has a relation to a town in Derbyshire, Barlowe. This last name means the one who inhibits on a bare bill.  You must be aware of  Emilie-Claire Barlow, who is a well-known jazz singer and Canadian voice artist.

6. Tuffin

After the Norman Conquest in 1066, this surname was brought to England also. Though the word is derived from the Greek name Theophania. The meaning is as follows:

• Theos: God
• Phainein: to appear

Hence, the meaning of Tuffin comes out to be,” for God to appear.”

7. Wolf

This ancient surname is derived from the old English word, Wulf. It also has multiple variations, such as Woolf and Woolfe. An important fact to be noted about this surname is that Virginia Woolf was a famous British writer who had this last name.

8. Nadir,

This last name has a beautiful meaning attached, and that adds a positive influence to your character. The word, Nadir, means “rare” and can be used as both first name and last name.

The other important thing worth knowing is that it is a variation of the Arabic word “Nader,” which means rare, scarce, or precious. Kerime Nadir Azrak was a famous example. She is a well-known Turkish novelist and author.

9. Keller

The surname, “Keller” has several philosophies. The word Keller means cellar or basement.  Let’s take the example of Helen Adams Keller.

He was an American author who was blind and deaf. Later on, he also became a successful lecturer, political activist, and disability rights lawyer.

10. Solace

You all know solace means comfort. In the same sense, the word can be used as a last name. This English word is derived from the Latin word “Solari”, which means “to console”.

The word came through Anglo-French in the 14th century. This surname was used to be given to a child after the death of his/her sibling during the medieval period.

11. Madden

A famous Irish last name, Madden, has its roots in the times before the 10th century. It is said that females who have this surname are loyal and enduring. 

12. Jenkins

This surname was discovered in Cornwall, but it gained popularity in Southern Wales. The word Jenkins means “John’s son” or”small John”.

The part of the word “Kin” was derived from a Dutch word, Kijn. You must know Kathryn Jenkins, who was a famous hymn writer and Welsh scholar.

13. Thatcher 

Margaret Thatcher, the former Prime Minister of the UK, has a huge contribution to making this surname extremely famous. Initially, this surname was specifically known as an occupational last name also, and thus this last name also refers to someone who thatches a roof.

14. Raven

Raven has its roots in Middle English from England and Scotland. The surname, Raven was initially used as a nickname for someone who is addicted to stealing activity. Besides, it is also used to refer to a person who has dark hair like that of a raven bird. 

15. Hope

The meaning is very obvious and must be known to all of you: “desire”. This is an English-Scottish surname that usually refers to a person who is living in an enclosed area.

In the medieval period, it became a habitational surname that was extremely common in Scotland, Ireland, and Northern England.

Some Other Unique Last Names

Now, let’s just have a look at some other unique last names that can add strength to the personality of your character. Following is the list of such surnames: 

1. Abreo
2. Agnor
3. Alvin
4. Auclair
5. Anouilh
6. Bain
7. Barrere
8. Bassett
9. Blaine
10. Brassard
11. Brierman
12. Caparasso
13. Cassidy
14. Cellier
15. Cienfuegos
16. Dardar
17. De la Croix
18. Dracula
19. Ebersol
20. Ekker
21. Escarra
22. Escoffier
23. Etter
24. Falaguerra
25. Fawzi
26. Fisk
27. Flammia
28. Floquet
29. Fonua
30. Fukushima
31. Furyk
32. Freed
33. Fontana
34. Gaumond
35. Gow
36. Gushiken
37. Hanlon
38. Heroux
39. Homa
40. Houde
41. Hubert
42. Igarashi
43. Jessup
44. Joubert
45. Jurado
46. La Cour
47. Lafitte
48. Lenoir
49. Machal
50. Madigan
51. Malfatto
52. Mangiarotti
53. Martel
54. Methadonna
55. Ozanne
56. Palomer
57. Paquet
58. Pelagatti
59. Prevost
60. Proulx
61. Rossingol
62. Seisdedos
63. Tasse
64. Varon
65. Varville
66. Voland
67. Villalobos
68. Webster

Cool Last Names for Boys

Let’s go through many different types of cool last names for boys: 

1. Abraham

The surname, Abraham, may have several origins. The word, Abraham, is derived from the Hebrew name, Avraham.

Avraham denotes the biblical patriarch that is worshiped as the father of the Jews. Hence, the surname Abraham used as the last name means the “Father of nations.”

2. Agassi

This surname is also considered an anglicized version of the Armenian surname “Aghassian”.This last name is exceedingly common among ethnic groups in few Persian Muslims, Persian Jews, and Iran. You must have heard about Andre Kirk who is a famous American tennis player.

3. Arden

This surname hails from English origin. It is mainly famous as a local surname that means,” valley of eagles”. You can find three places in the United Kingdom by this name.  

4. Ashford

You will discover that many places in England are known as Ashford. It can also be called a habitational surname. It is made by combining two words, “ash” and “ford” and combining the word means, “edge of a sword”.

5. Benjamin

The word, Benjamin, is derived from a Hebrew blend of words. The meaning is as follows:

“Ben” means son and “yemin” means right hand.

6. Bond

The word, as depicting itself, means bindings or better it means “tied up with the soil or land”. Due to the association of this surname with the famous movie character, this English name has become widely popular almost everywhere.

7. Boone

The word Boone is derived from the old French nickname, “Bon”, which means good.  It has its roots in Norman origin. Though the word Boone means “a blessing”.This last name is also geographical as it refers to the Bohon in La Manche, France.

8. Bexley

The surname, Bexley, is based on English origin. It is an amalgamation of two words, “byxe” meaning a box tree, and “leah” meaning a clearing in the woods.

9. Channing

This is again a popular English family name that means, “a young wolf”. The word has its roots in England.

10. Castellan

This is a famous English surname for boys that means,” keeper of a castle”.

11. Collymore

An English location named, Collymore, has its roots in the Colleymore Farm in Oxfordshire. It is also believed that the name has its origin in a village called Colmore in Dorset. The name, Collymore, is derived from the old English word, “col-mera”, which means clear or cool lake.

12. Damaris

Damaris is a Greek last name that means, “gentle”. It, sometimes, also refers to a calf.

13. Diggory

A French name, Diggory is a derivation of the word, “egare”.  The word refers to, “astray”.

14. Disney

You all know Walt Disney. This exceedingly famous English surname was originally taken from a French word, “D’Isigny”, which refers to “belonging to Isigny”. Isigny is a place in France.

15. Donahue

An American style, Donahue is a form of the Irish name, Donoheo. The word refers to a man with brown hair or a chieftain. This last name is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name, O’ Donnchadha which means Donnchadh’s descendant.

16. Fernandez

This is a Spanish surname that is world widely famous among the list of renowned last names. The word, Fernandez refers to, “Fernando’s son”.

17. Ferro

This last name has multiple origins which include Portugal, Spain, and Italy. This surname is an occupational surname and hence, it is usually given to someone who has worked with iron or produced iron. The Latin name of Ferro is, “Ferrum”.

18. Granger

Granger is a French and English occupational last name that is usually referred to as a farm bailiff. If you are a huge fan of the Harry Potter Series, then you must be aware of the famous fictional character in the series with the same last name, “Hermoine Granger”.

19. Hendrix

Hendrix was known as the son of Hendrik. This Dutch-origin last name became famous from the popular musician Jimi Hendrix. This famous name is used by many people living in Western countries.

20. Holmes

A notable surname, “Holmes” hails from England and denotes an islet. You must be aware of the popular fictional character, Sherlock Holmes. This famous character alone made this surname widely famous.

Cool Last Names for Girls

If you are looking for some cool last names for girls, then underneath list will help you:

1. Amana
2. Barlowe
3. Caddel
4. Fox
5. Francis
6. Hart
7. Katz
8. Laurier
9. Madden
10. Sai
11. Villarreal
12. Viotto

Adventurous Mysterious antasy Sci-Fi Characters Names for Boys & Girls

For adventurous characters

1. Amos
2. Beam
3. Dash
4. Duke
5. Fleet
6. Jian (jee-uhn)
7. Moses
8. Pierce
9. Remington
10. Sharp
11. Singh (seeng)
12. Stallard
13. West

For Mysterious Characters

1. Abernathy
2. Cornelius
3. Crawford
4. Cunningham
5. Driscoll
6. Ellis
7. Finch
8. Menken
9. Ninomae (nee-noh-may)
10. Simmons
11. Undergrove
12. Vandenberg
13. Webb

For Fantasy Characters

1. Abednego
2. Cyprus
3. Einar
4. Festus
5. Gallio
6. Griffin
7. Kami
8. Lightfoot
9. Luna
10. Priestley
11. Sierra

For Romantic Characters

1. Aberra
2. Agapov
3. Albertine
4. Angelo
5. Cherith
6. Desai
7. Godfrey
8. Greathouse
9. Knight
10. Lozano (loh-zah-noh)
11. Luz (loos)
12. Prince
13. Rossi (rah-see)

For Sci-Fi Characters

If you don’t know about Sci-fi, then it is a type of genre that features people as well as creatures from unknown galaxies. Hence, sci-fi includes characters that involve space, futuristic societies, and much more. Appropriate last names for these characters are as follows: 

1. Alastair (al-ah-stair)
2. Aphelion (uh-FEE-lee-uhn)
3. Callisto (cuh-lihs-tow)
4. Chrysalis (KRIS-ah-lihs)
5. Furi (foor-ee)
6. Gibbethon (jih-beh-thahn)
7. Gregorios  (greg-OR-ee-ohs)
8. Nadir (NAY-deer)
9. Omega
10. Sapphirus (saff-EYE-ruhs)
11. Silvius  (SIL-vee-us)
12. Umbra  (UHM-bruh)
13. Zibia (ZIH-bee-uh)

Interesting Fantasy Last Names

After discussing fancy last names for girls and boys, now let’s have a look at the unique fantasy last names (for fictional characters): 

1. Abbington

You must be remembering a famous actress, Amanda Abbington who uses the same surname. This unique last name means an estate that is occupied or owned by a person who is called “Abba”.

2. Agnello

This fantasy surname is derived from the Italian word, “Agnello” which again is an extract of the word, “Agnus” meaning “lamb”. The reason behind its popularity is its reference to a lamb that is taken to a slaughterhouse. This act denotes Jesus Christ’s suffering and pain at the cross.

3. Asteria

This fantasy surname has a beautiful meaning which raises its significance furthermore. Generally, it is referred to as the Goddess of justice and innocence.

4. Baggins

The last name, “Baggins”, is used for a person who travels with bags or backpacks. This surname has its roots in Anglo-Saxon history. You will be surprised to know that this unique fantasy name became extremely popular after a fictitious character in the Harry Potter series.

5. Belloc

A Catalan surname, Belloc is spoken as Bey-yoc which makes this fantasy name quite interesting. This last name is a blend of two words, “bell” meaning lovely, and “lloc” meaning a place. This cool fantasy name is most popular among female fictional characters.

6. Covenbreath

Covenbreath is known as the Goddess of darkness in the air. This fictional surname is mostly used for female antagonists who oppose rigorously in the darkness.

7. Dagon

The fictional surname, “Dagon” can be used for both male and female characters. The term Dagon means,” being cut open”. It has its origin in Hebrew. Dagon is a specific name used for “God of fertility. The character of God Dagon is shown as half man and half fish.

8. Gallio

Selena Gallio, the black warrior queen is one of the strongest female characters in the famous Marvel comics of the fantasy world. The word, Gallio, means someone who lives on milk.

9. Gloryweaver

The word is an innovative blend of two words, glory and weaver. This fantasy last name is used for a person who is an exceptional weaver.

10. Havenglow

Combining two words, “haven” which means home, and “glow” which means shiny, we get a beautiful fictional surname, “Havenglow”. This unique fictional last name is used for a ruler who has a luminous appeal and who provides shelter and security to his people as well as place.

Furthermore, some other new and weird surnames that help make unique last names as funny last names also are as follows: 

1. Bellagamba
2. Biggerstaff
3. Clampitt
4. Clutterbuck
5. Greedy
6. Hartshorn
7. Fumagalli
8. Nutter
9. Onions
10. Pappalardo
11. Popplewell
12. Rymer
13. Scrapetrough
14. Shellaberger
15. Shufflebottom
16. Swetinbedde
17. Walker

Till now, you have gone through different types of surnames with explanations about the major type individually. Moving ahead, you shall see lists of surnames or last names sorted according to specific categories. It will help you gain a lot of new ideas about different types of last names according to set personalities. Let’s go over each one of these lists.

Rich Last Names

To make your full name sound like a royal one, you have to choose a rich last name. A rich last name helps your full name sound wealthy and thus this can raise your social image gradually. Take the reference from the below list of rich last names: 

1. Albrecht
2. Allen
3. Armani
4. Anschutz
5. Astor
6. Almas
7. Arnoult
8. Alodia
9. Arison
10. Audhild
11. Aurea
12. Barbey
13. Buffet
14. Baldwin
15. Butt
16. Bass
17. Barbey
18. Benson
19. Bechtel
20. Byron
21. Cox
22. Cathy
23. Crown
24. Caesar
25. Chryses
26. Chambers
27. Cargill
28. Cartier
29. Chanel
30. Dell
31. Dumas
32. Dorrance
33. Du Pont
34. Duncan
35. Durst
36. Dara
37. Dyson
38. Eadberht
39. Ecclestone
40. Ellison
41. Eurig
42. Ecclestone
43. Eurwen
44. Fridman
45. Ferdinand
46. Ferrari
47. Forbes
48. Ford
49. Fu
50. Goldman
51. Gates
52. Gallo
53. Gore
54. Givenchy
55. Graff
56. Gucci
57. Hildebrand
58. Hoffman
59. Hudson
60. Hodan
61. Hearst
62. Hunt
63. Hadid
64. Hughes
65. Hendrix
66. Isray
67. Inyene
68. Jae
69. Jackson
70. Jae
71. Johnson
72. Ji-Yeong
73. Jenkins
74. Kimiko
75. Kirk
76. Kingston
77. Koch
78. Kohler
79. Ka-Shing
80. King
81. Klein
82. Lewis
83. Luksa
84. Lucertia
85. Lacoste
86. Luceria
87. Lauren
88. Lauder
89. Laurent
90. Lehman
91. Lloyd
92. Lucas
93. Mars
94. Mc Gregor
95. Merck
96. Moore
97. Miller
98. Mellon
99. Mountbatten
100. Morgan
101. Newhouse
102. Nubia
103. Och
104. Oppenheimer
105. Orleans
106. Otto
107. Ortega
108. Peterffy
109. Persson
110. Peugeot
111. Phipps
112. Prada
113. Plutarch
114. Pulitzer
115. Paz
116. Plutarch
117. Quandt
118. Robertz
119. Reichmann
120. Rockfeller
121. Revaz
122. Rollins
123. Reuben
124. Rich
125. Romanov
126. Roosevelts
127. Revas
128. Reyes
129. Rothschild
130. Sovanna
131. Schaeffler
132. Schermerhorn
133. Schindler
134. Schroder
135. Seinfeld
136. Siemens
137. Soros
138. Spielberg
139. Swarovski
140. Smith
141. Spencer
142. Sackler
143. Taylor
144. Tepper
145. Wang
146. Walton
147. Wertheimer
148. Viola
149. Ziff

Cute Last Names for Girls and Boys

Cute last names can beautify your first name as well. When combining both names together, you will get an exceptionally beautiful name that is pleasing to say and hear. To know the cute last names, refer to the following list: 

For girls 

1. Addison
2. Bailey
3. Blaine
4. Cassidy
5. Cohen
6. Ellison
7. Emerson
8. Everly
9. Hayden
10. Harlow
11. Jensen
12. Kennedy
13. Langley
14. Marley
15. Monroe
16. Quinn
17. Riley
18. Wyatt

For boys 

1. Anderson
2. Beckett
3. Brady
4. Cooper
5. Carter
6. Cole
7. Dawson
8. Davis
9. Dixon
10. Finley
11. Harrison
12. Lennox
13. Lincoln
14. Miller
15. Nash
16. Parker
17. Sullivan
18. Tyler
19. Wiley

Short Last Names

There is also a trend of using short last names after the first names. Generally, most of the short last names hail from China or Korea as they have the tradition of using so, however, other people belonging to different countries can also use it.

There exists a lot of variety in short last names such as 2 alphabet short last names, 3 alphabet short surnames, 4 alphabet short surnames, and many more. Let’s have a look at these different categories one by one: 

2 Alphabet Short Last Names

1. LI
2. LE 
3. WU
4. YU 
5. HO
6. VO 
7. VU
8. LU

3 Alphabet Short Surnames

1. LEE
2. KIM
3. COX
4. FOX
5. RAY
6. DAY
7. MAY
8. LIN
9. LIU
10. LAM
11. ROY 
12. ORR 
13. FRY

4 Alphabet Short Last Names

1. HALL
2. KING
3. DIAZ
4. CRUZ
5. CHEF
6. REED
7. WARD
8. WOOD
9. GRAY
10. RUIZ
11. LONG
12. BELL
13. WEST
14. COLE
15. TRAN
16. FORD
17. CHEN
18. WEBB
19. SHAW
20. BEST
21. LUGO
22. PHAN
23. LYNN
24. BEAN
25. CANO
26. LEVY

5 Alphabet Short Last Names

1. HANNA
2. AYERS
3. AVERY
4. MAYER
5. MOSES
6. GOULD
7. DUFFY
8. McKAY
9. POTTS
10. COSTA
11. NIXON
12. CRANE
13. HALEY
14. HORNE
15. XIONG
16. HUBER
17. MOYER
18. PARRA
19. ESTES
20. BURCH
21. NOVAK
22. ROJAS
23. BANKS
24. WALSH
25. AYALA
26. WATTS
27. MORAN
28. PARKS
29. LYONS
30. SOLIS
31. KLEIN
32. SIMON
33. HARDY
34. SHARP

Powerful Last Names

strengthful last names will add boldness to your personality. Adding them to your first name gives a new meaning to your name. It is believed that if someone adds powerful last names, then nobody can mess with the person. Refer to the following list of powerful last names:  

1. Almond
2. Bardin
3. Allard
4. Barrett
5. Brando
6. Barrett
7. Caddel
8. Carnell
9. Chevalier
10. Curran
11. Ectorious
12. Hassan
13. Finley
14. Heroux
15. Landry
16. Merrick
17. Nwadike
18. Valor
19. Varon
20. Xander

Aesthetic Last Names

Following is the list of Aesthetic last names which includes creative and artistry surnames:

1. Abara
2. Flammia
3. Amaryllis
4. Haku
5. Harper
6. Luna
7. Nisim
8. Paisley
9. Piper
10. Hemingway
11. Fulgencio

Rare Last Names From History

If you want to add rare last names from history, then get fabulous ideas first from the list given below: 

1. Ajax
2. Berrycloth
3. Birdwhistle
4. Bread
5. Bythesea
6. Dankworth
7. Edevane
8. Fensby
9. Gastrell
10. Loughty
11. MacQuoid
12. Miracle
13. Pussmaid
14. Relish
15. Sallow
16. Slora
17. Spinster
18. Villin

Some Random Last Names

Following is the list of some random last names: 

1. Alfaro
2. Blanchard
3. Costello
4. Diamond
5. Elkins
6. Franks
7. Grey
8. Honeycutt
9. Ivory
10. Johnson
11. Kohler
12. Loera
13. Macon
14. Niles
15. Olivares
16. Penny
17. Quezada
18. Romano
19. Saldana
20. Traylor
21. Utley
22. Villa
23. Wester
24. White
25. Xiong
26. Yazzie
27. Yoder
28. Zielinski
29. Zimmer

Conclusion

I hope that you found this article helpful and got new ideas to choose surnames for both girls and boys. Depending upon the outer and inner qualities, you can choose any last name. 

To read more related interesting articles, refer to the following topics:

• 1100+ Romantic Nicknames Ideas for Your Boyfriend
• 399+ Private Story Names for Your Snapchat
• 2000+ Funny, Inappropriate, Best, Good, Dirty & More Kahoot Names to Use for Girls and Boys