fast rising surname names for boysSurname 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 Lincoln, Cooper, Carter, and Jackson so popular, what’s next?

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. EASTON
  9. EVERETT
  10. GRAYSON
  11. HUDSON
  12. JACKSON
  13. JAMESON
  14. JORDAN
  15. LANDON
  16. LINCOLN
  17. LOGAN
  18. MASON
  19. MAVERICK
  20. NOLAN
  21. PARKER
  22. ROWAN
  23. WALKER
  24. WESLEY
  25. WESTON

SURNAME NAMES FOR BOYS: FAST-RISING FAVORITES

ARCHER (#126 in 2022; from #160 in 2020)

Originally a surname given to a bowman, there’s a sharpness to Archer. Approachable nickname Archie softens it.

BAKER (#433 in 2022; from #524 in 2020)

The NFL’s Baker Mayfield helped put this name on parents’ lists originally, but the bright long A sound and -R ending help, too.

BANKS (#404 in 2022, from #753 in 2020)

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

BAYLOR (#390 in 2022; from #459 in 2020)

Football fans probably know this Texas university,named for Judge Robert Emmett Bledsoe Baylor. It followed favorites like Bailey and Taylor into the spotlight.

BECKHAM (#202 in 2022; from #248 in 2020)

We love Beckett, but Beckham gets an extra boost from the soccer legend.

BELLAMY (#628 in 2022; from #730 in 2020)

From the French phrase bel ami, Bellamy means “beautiful friend.” While Belle names tend to be feminine, this gained as a baby boy name thanks to a character on popular sci fi series The 100.

BRIDGER (#738 in 2022; from #929 in 2020)

Frontiersman Jim Bridger’s name dots the map throughout the Mountain West, and so his surname has always fared best in those states. But lately it’s far more mainstream, perhaps thanks to our love of ends-with-R names for our boys.

BRIGGS (#386 in 2022; from #438 in 2020)

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 (#518 in 2022; from #807 in 2020)

A swaggering Irish surname with easy nickname Cal.

CASEY (#336 in 2022; from #522 in 2020)

An upbeat Irish surname, Casey has belonged to a train engineer and a powerful baseball player.

COHEN (#277 in 2022; from #286 in 2020)

When it comes to surname names, Cohen is pretty controversial. Yes, there’s the on-trend sound and style. But it’s a Jewish surname, traditionally reserved for priests, and culturally significant. Regardless of how you feel about the name’s use, there’s no question that it is on the rise.

COLBY (#597 in 2022; from #618 in 2020)

An English surname with a stylish sound, Colby is the name of a fictional family from television’s Dynasty. There’s also a cheese, named for the town of Colby, Wisconsin, where it originated. It’s a little bit Cole and a little bit Brady, a name at home in the 2020s but not really new.

COLTER (#430 in 2022; from #971 in 2020)

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

COLSON (#316 in 2022; from #351 in 2020)

Add a NI to Colson, and you might guess at the name’s origins. It likely comes from Nicholas’ son or Nicholson. Today, though, it sounds fresh and new. The name has powered up the popularity charts in recent years, an update to Colin.

CREW (#254 in 2022; from #284 in 2020)

Equal parts buttoned-up and wild, Crew is a brief, complete surname name for our sons that appeals to so many families for different reasons.

DAWSON (#183 in 2022; from #197 in 2020)

Pop culture has boosted Dawson since the 1990s. But now this surname derived from David seems to be succeeding on its own merits, bolstered by our love of ends-in-son choices for our boys.

DUTTON (#835 in 2022; from unranked in 2020)

Take Sutton, then light it on fire with the streaming series phenom Yellowstone, and Dutton became an unstoppable force in 2022.

ELLIOT (#150 in 2022; from #164 in 2020)

Combined with the spelling Elliott, this name is even more popular than it seems. Plus, it’s derived from Elijah, and names like Elias also rank in the US Top 1000. But Elliot itself is gaining in use enough to make the list right now.

ELLIS (#307 in 2022; from #326 in 2020)

A cousin to Elliot, Ellis is the smooth, s-ending surname name possibility.

FINLEY (#282 in 2022; from #305 in 2020)

One of many Fin- surname names that appeals to parents looking for another syllable or two. Popular for boys and girls alike, Finley is among several gender-neutral surname names on the rise.

FISHER (#890 in 2022; from #907 in 2020)

As outdoorsy as River or Forrest, Fisher also sounds active. But it’s not just a sporting name. It’s also a spiritual one, thanks to the New Testament. Jesus tells his first disciples – who were actually fishermen by trade – that he will make them “fishers of men.”

FORREST (#402 in 2022; from #464 in 2020)

Forrest Gump was a wildly successful movie in 1994, and the name briefly jumped in popularity. But then Forrest faded. Today, it’s making a comeback, thanks to its surname style, and its ties to the natural world.

GREY (#758 in 2022; from #777 in 2020)

With Grayson and Greyson in the US Top 100, no surprise that Grey is also faring well. It’s part-surname, part-color name, and immediately familiar thanks to long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, featuring Dr. Meredith Grey.

HAYES (#209 in 2022; from #245 in 2020)

The bright ‘a’ sound coupled with that  ‘s’ ending make Hayes sound like a popular name. It’s caught on like wildfire in recent years.

HENDRIX (#272 in 2022; from #283 in 2020)

Guitar legend Jimi Hendrix puts this name on the rock and roll roster. The ending X brings it closer to Knox and company.

JUDSON (#864 in 2022; #876 in 2020)

Way back when, Jordan shortened to Judd. And that led to Judson. It’s a logical extension from Hudson and similar choices.

KNOX (#200 in 2022; from #237 in 2020)

Cnocc is an Old English word for a hill. But for many of us, it’s all Fort Knox – officially, the United States Bullion Depository, where the US government stores reserves in the form of gold.

LEDGER (#593 in 2022; from #630 in 2020)

The late actor Heath Ledger might get some credit for this name’s popularity. But it also fits with all -R ending boy names we love.

LENNOX (#248 in 2022; from #291 in 2020)

A Scottish surname boosted by that final X.

MADDEN (#655 in 2022; from #811 in 2020)

This name has Irish roots, but to many parents, it’s all John Madden. The legendary football coach turned commentator became The Name behind NFL Madden, the long-running video game series. It’s sporting, upbeat, familiar, and rising in use, too.

MCCOY (#860 in 2022; from #927 in 2020)

The phrase “the real McCoy” makes this name feel just a little bit cooler. And while many Mc names are used for our daughters, McCoy trends masculine.

MILLER (#601 in 2022; from #696 in 2020)

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.

MORGAN (#538 in 2022; from #693 in 2020)

A unisex name across the ages, connected with Morgan le Fay and Morgan Freeman, this name surged for girls in the 1980s and 90s, but held steady for boys at the same time. (That’s peak Morgan Fairchild, when the actress starred on Falcon Crest.) Today the name is rising in use for our sons once more.

MURPHY (#885 in 2022; from #964 in 2020)

An upbeat Irish charmer, Murphy is popular for our daughters and works every bit as well for our sons. Parents are now using it for both genders, in the key of Riley or Taylor.

OAKLEY (#394 in 2022; from #420 in 2020)

Oak names are all the rage, and Oakley is rising fast for our boys.

REED (#414 in 2022; from #452 in 2020)

Also spelled Reid, this name comes with many potential origins and meanings, including red, roe deer, and clearing. It’s strong, clear, and timeless.

RHODES (#922 in 2022; from unranked in 2020)

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

RIGGS (#705 in 2022; from #948 in 2020)

Probably a cousin to Ridge, Riggs sounds rugged. It might also come from the Germanic element ric – meaning powerful, which just reinforces the image.

SHEPHERD (#493 in 2022; from #600 in 2020)

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 (#238 in 2022; from #487 in 2020)

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 (#526 in 2022; from #581 in 2020)

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

TATE (#234 in 2022; from #353 in 2020)

Friendly and polished, Tate is less traditional than Jake, with a unisex sensibility. It’s a thoroughly twenty-first century name.

TATUM (#318 in 2022; from #492 in 2020)

A white hot unisex choice, Tatum’s origins are obscure. Like Tate, it might come from a word meaning joyful.

TRUETT (#745 in 2022; from #957 in 2020)

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.

WALKER (#78 in 2022; from #206 in 2020)

Country music’s Walker Hayes scored a hit in late 2021 with “Fancy Like.” It probably helped boost Hayes, and no question it gave a lift to Walker. So did the reboot of television series Walker, Texas Ranger, which found new life with star Jared Padalecki in 2021. And then came Yellowstone, pushing Walker even farther up the popularity charts.

WELLS (#466 in 2022; from #541 in 2020)

There’s something about Wells. It sounds tied to the natural world, but also well-being. Plus, it sounds like traditional Will. No surprise it’s racing up the charts.

WESLEY (#70 in 2022; from #98 in 2022)

A surname that’s been a given name for ages, Wesley has quietly risen in use. It’s an alternative to Henry and Wells, a quiet classic, and best-of-both kind of choice.

WILDER (#373 in 2022; from #426 in 2020)

A name that sounds outdoorsy and the life of the party, too, Wilder fits in with so many -R ending favorites, while still standing out.

WELL-ESTABLISHED FAVORITES

  1. ANDERSON
  2. BARRETT
  3. BECKETT
  4. BECKHAM
  5. BENTLEY
  6. BOONE
  7. BOWEN
  8. BYRON
  9. CLARK
  10. CRUZ
  11. DALTON
  12. DAVIS
  13. DEXTER
  14. DONOVAN
  15. EMERSON
  16. EMMETT
  17. FINNEGAN
  18. FLETCHER
  19. FLYNN
  20. FORD
  21. FRANKLIN
  22. GANNON
  23. GRADY
  24. GRANT
  25. HARRISON
  26. HOLDEN
  27. HUNTER
  28. HUXLEY
  29. JENSEN
  30. JONES
  31. KANE
  32. KINGSLEY
  33. LAWSON
  34. LENNON
  35. MADDOX
  36. MARLEY
  37. NASH
  38. NIXON
  39. PAXTON
  40. PRESTON
  41. PORTER
  42. RILEY
  43. SAWYER
  44. SPENCER
  45. SULLIVAN
  46. TANNER
  47. THATCHER
  48. WALLACE
  49. WATSON

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.

CAMPBELL

A Scottish possibility that could follow Cameron into wider use.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, and again on October 5, 2023.

fast rising surname names for boys fast rising surname names for boys

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

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16 Comments

  1. It’s also partly a cultural thing – in the UK boys and men call each other by their surnames, while girls and women don’t. So surnames on boys sounds normal. But my first assumption if I heard a boy called ‘Banks’ by his friends would be that that was his surname – I’d ask his first name! Surnames on girls just sound plain weird. I think it may have been lost on US readers that when Draco Malfoy called Harry ‘Potter’ this was completely normal and remarkable BUT when he called Hermione ‘Granger’ he was making a snide allusion to her muggle birth 😉

  2. I always say I don’t like surname names, especially on girls, but what I really mean is I don’t like new ones! 😀 I can accept Tracy, Shirley, Russell etc as names because I grew up with them. Madison, Jackson, Baker, Jones just make me squirm. That’s prejudice for you! Anyway, I admit I really like Quinn, Flynn, Callahan, Nolan, Logan, Finnegan and Finley.

    The Mrs, please don’t get political on us…

    1. That’s an excellent point, Eilonwy! And I appreciate that you’re aware of that, too. I’m always left scratching my head when someone tells me they dislike surname names, but their first child is named Avery. So often, we’re not reacting to a style category as much as whether the name feels established or novel … (And I’m all for novel, but I concede that novelty has drawbacks …)