Stylish Surname Names On the Rise for Boys

Surname names for boys aren’t new – not even a little!

Families have long handed down mothers’ maiden names. Surnames that emphasized a connection to a powerful or influential family member were once common, too.

While those reasons remain,  plenty of children receive surname names that aren’t directly borrowed from an ancestor. Maybe the parents are reinventing another family name. Or they admire a famous bearer of the surname – no relation.

Often, it’s simply because the style has considerable appeal. With names like Brooks, Bennett, and Hudson so popular, what’s next?

It’s worth noting that surname baby names are used for our daughters, too. Some of these, like Rowan, might be perceived as a gender-neutral name. Other possibilities, like Addison and Collins, are so well-established for girls that they don’t appear on this list. 

There’s an even longer list of names, like Allen, Stewart, Warren, and Scott, that we think of as a baby boy name, at least as much as a surname. 

Let’s look at some of the most popular last names as first names for our sons.

TOP 100 SURNAMES USED AS BOY NAMES

It’s surprisingly difficult to decide what counts as a last name, and which feels like more of a first. These names appear in the current US Top 100 and feel like they’re familiar as surnames, too.

1. BENNETT
2. BROOKS
3. CAMERON
4. CARTER
5. COLTON
6. COOPER
7. DYLAN
8. EVERETT
9. GRAYSON
10. HUDSON
11. JACKSON
12. LINCOLN
13. LOGAN
14. MASON
15. MAVERICK
16. NOLAN
17. PARKER
18. ROWAN
19. WALKER
20. WAYLON
21. WESLEY
22. WESTON

FAST RISING FAVORITES

ALDEN (#576 in 2024; from #627 in 2022)

Surname name Alden endures, even as the Old English given name it came from – Ealdwine – is forgotten. Alden follows favorties like Aiden and Evan into wider use, sounding exactly like a first name should.

BAKER (#313 in 2024; from #434 in 2022)

Boosted by the popularity of quarterback Baker Mayfield. 

BANKS (#366 in 2024; from #404 in 2022)

A little bit river bank, a little bit cash money, Banks is a fast-rising S-ender, following favorites like Miles into wider use.

BENSON (#435 in 2024; from #643 in 2022)

Another Ben name, like Benjamin and company, this name got a boost thanks to singer Benson Boone. 

BODEN (#817 in 2024; from #858 in 2022)

Boosted by our love of Bo, Beau, and Bodhi – pick your spelling – as well as a the colorful British clothing line.

BOONE (#524 in 2024; from #603 in 2022)

The second surname name making this list thanks, in part, to singer Benson Boone. Boone’s meaning – good – helps, too.

BRIGGS (#326 in 2024; from #386 in 2022)

Rugged and capable, Briggs benefits from that stylish ‘s’ ending. It comes from an Old Norse word meaning bridge, an appealing image for a child’s name.

CALLAHAN (#363 in 2024; from #518 in 2022)

Swaggering Irish surname with easy nickname Cal.

CAMPBELL (#922 in 2024; from unranked in 2022)

A Scottish possibility that could follow Cameron into wider use, Campbell now ranks in the Top 1000 for girls and boys.

COLTER (#218 in 2024; from #430 in 2022)

Originally a surname for someone who tended horses, Colter now feels like an update to long-popular Colton.

DARWIN (#839 in 2024; from #989 in 2022)

Made enduringly familiar thanks to scientist Charles Darwin, this name has Old English roots and means “dear friend.”

DUTTON (#736 in 2024; from #835 in 2022)

Take Sutton, then light it on fire with the streaming series phenom Yellowstone, and Dutton became an unstoppable force.

FLETCHER (#564 in 2024; from #674 in 2022)

A name associated with arrows, every bit as polished as Archer, and far more subtle than Arrow.

HARLAN (#666 in 2024; from #726 in 2022)

An Old English surname, Harlan probably means “land of the hares” – rabbits, though other origins are possible. It’s a surname with a certain Southern energy. 

HAYES (#160 in 2024 from #212 in 2024)

Surname name with a cool, edgy sound, Hayes can be a cousin to Irish favorite Aiden.

JEFFERSON (#711 in 2024; from #760 in 2022)

United States history would be incomplete without Founding Father Thomas Jefferson. Along with (Benjamin) Franklin, this name is still on the rise. Some credit goes to Broadway’s Hamilton! and actor Daveed Diggs’ performance on stage and the screen adaptation. 

JETTSON (#825 in 2024; from unranked in 2022)

It’s very flying car, at least if you know your vintage Hanna-Barbera cartoons. Jettson is a cousin to Judson and Jordan, but it’s probably gaining in use thanks to our love of Jett.

JONES (#849 in 2024; from #948 in 2022)

One of so many surname derived from enduring favorite John, there’s a coolness to Jones that makes this one of the most promising picks on the list.

LEDGER (#502 in 2024; from #594 in 2022)

As in the late, legendary actor Heath. 

MILLER (#438 in 2024; from #601 in 2022)

Just like Carter or Taylor, Miller started out as an occupational surname name; it referred to someone who milled – ground – grain for flour. The beer association might make some parents pause, but with a generation of Hunters and Parkers, Miller fits right in.

MURPHY (#815 in 2024; from #887 in 2022)

Friendly, accessible, and unisex Irish import.

RHODES (#613 in 2024; from #922 in 2022)

A name with many an auspicious association, Rhodes fits with so many s-ending names we love for our sons.

SHEPHERD (#311 in 2024; from #493 in 2022)

Clearly an occupational name, Shepherd also has spiritual possibilities, since Christians often depict Jesus as a benevolent shepherd. Still, it tends to read more like a polished, prep school-ready choice than an overtly religious one.

STETSON (#155 in 2024; from #238 in 2022)

Born in New Jersey, John B. Stetson was the son of a hatter. He headed west, like so many young men, and designed a hat suited for life on the frontier. It made him a fortune, and made his name synonymous with Old West style.

SUTTON (#441 in 2024; from #526 in 2022)

Actress Sutton Foster launched her unusual given name into the US Top 1000 for girls. It has since followed – and quickly! – for boys, too.

TATUM (#195 in 2024; from #318 in 2022)

A white hot unisex choice, Tatum’s origins are obscure. Like Tate, it might come from a word meaning joyful. The similar-sounding Tate just missed this list, but is also quite popular. 

TRUETT (#648 in 2024; from #745 in 2022)

A surname name originally spelled Trewhitt, it looks like a formal name for True. That makes this a virtue pick and a surname one, too.

WELL-ESTABLISHED FAVORITES

1. ANDERSON
2. ARCHER
3. BARRETT
4. BAYLOR
5. BECKHAM
6. BECKETT
7. BECKHAM
8. BELLAMY
9. BENTLEY
10. BOWEN
11. BRIDGER
12. BYRON
13. CASEY
14. CLARK
15. COHEN
16. COLBY
17. COLSON
18. CREW
19. CRUZ
20. DALTON
21. DAVIS
22. DAWSON
23. DEXTER
24. DONOVAN
25. EASTON
26. ELLIOT
27. ELLIOTT
28. ELLIS
29. EMERSON
30. EMMETT
31. FINLEY
32. FINNEGAN
33. FISHER
34. FLYNN
35. FORD
36. FORREST
37. FRANKLIN
38. GANNON
39. GRADY
40. GRANT
41. GREY
42. HENDRIX
43. HOLDEN
44. HUNTER
45. HUXLEY
46. JAGGER
47. JAMESON
48. JENSEN
49. JORDAN
50. JUDSON
51. KANE
52. KINGSLEY
53. KNOX
54. LANDON
55. LAWSON
56. LENNON
57. LENNOX
58. MADDEN
59. MADDOX
60. MARLEY
61. MCCOY
62. MORGAN
63. NASH
64. NIXON
65. OAKLEY
66. PAXTON
67. PRESTON
68. PORTER
69. REED
70. REID
71. RIGGS
72. RILEY
73. SAWYER
74. SPENCER
75. SULLIVAN
76. TANNER
77. TATE
78. THATCHER
79. WALLACE
80. WALKER
81. WATSON
82. WELLS
83. WESLEY
84. WILDER

OVERLOOKED SURNAME OPTIONS

ABBOTT

Another -TT ender, like favorites Beckett and Everett.

CALDER

This name brings to mind ice hockey, thanks to the Calder Trophy given annually to the rookie of the year, as well as artist Alexander Calder.

DECKARD

It sounds like a tough guy, and indeed Deckard does mean strong. The related Decker is another, less subtle, option.

DEMPSEY

An Irish surname meaning proud, long associated with legendary boxer Jack Dempsey.

DUNCAN

Another Scottish name, playful Duncan brings to mind yo-yos, donuts, and Shakespeare, too.

FIELDING

Or Fielder or Fields, any of them names that feel gently outdoorsy, just like Parker.

FOSTER

With multiple meanings and origins, Foster is a familiar surname. 

HARRISON

Strictly speaking, Harrison is a well-established choice, hovering just outside of the US Top 100. It’s even the middle name of Archie Harrison, son of Prince Harry. But it’s mentioned here because it’s yet to break into the Top 100, and might the perfect name for parents seeking something on-trend, but just a little outside of the most popular choices.

HOBBES

A philosophical surname, familiar to readers of Calvin and Hobbes … as well as Fast & the Furious fans, thanks to Dwayne Johnson’s character, Luke Hobbs. It comes from old Robert nickname, Hobb.

HURLEY

A name that brings to mind the surfing lifestyle brand, making Hurley feeling daring and adventurous.

JENNINGS

Like Jackson and Jones, yet another surname derived from mega-popular given name John.

KEATON

A buttoned-up surname name once familiar thanks to the Family Ties television series.

LANGSTON

As in enduring poet Langston Hughes of the Harlem Renaissance.

LINDEN

Former US President LBJ was Lyndon Johnson; Linden is either another spelling, or a completely different name. It’s often associated with lime trees, making Linden an alternative for Rowan or Ash.

MAXFIELD

An unexpected Max name, twentieth century painter Maxfield Parrish makes this a possibility.

MORRISON 

It means “son of Morris,” another form of Maurice. But it says Jim Morrison, legendary frontman for The Doors, which makes this a brother for Marley or Lennon.

PALMER

Far more popular for girls, but also in use for our sons. Palmer originally referred to those who made the pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the Middle Ages, returning with palms.

PERRY

In many ways, Perry sounds like a familiar given name. It can come from the Welsh phrase “ap Herry” – son of Herry, or Henry. But it’s also an established surname with an antique, but energetic, kind of vibe.

ROBSON, ROBINSON

Surnames ending with S, like Roberts, are seldom promoted to first name status. But plenty of Robert-related choices could work. Robson and Robinson are two of the best.

SHAW

A brief name, Shaw also gets a boost from a character in the Fast & Furious franchise.

THOMPSON

An ends-with-son name that has been consistently overlooked, even as Jackson and company soar. If you have a Thomas on your family tree, this name could merit a closer look.

WALTON

A gentle surname name that brings to mind 1970s television staple The Waltons. As the series fades from memory, this could be a way to reinvent Walter or an alternative to mega-popular Walker.

WILSON

It means son of William, but it also sounds fresh and surprising today. 

Are any of these surname names for boys on your shortlist? 

First published on August 28, 2015, this post was revised and re-published on September 15, 2022; October 5, 2023; June 3, 2024; and October 28, 2025.