Three-Syllable Surname Names: Popular Cameron, Cool Rafferty

Longer surname names for boys combine all the appeal of Top 100 favorites like Parker and Hendrix, but with a few more syllables and a little more sound.

Not so long ago, a name like Lincoln or Miller would only be considered if they were family names. Today, though, parents embrace last names as firsts because they’re just a little bit different, but still accessible. After all, even we’ve never met a person with the given name Campbell or Lennon, we immediately know how to spell and pronounce the name.

It’s a good way to make sure your child’s name stands out, without burdening your kid with something truly unfamiliar.

American parents tend to favor short surname choices for our sons. Name like Carter, Murphy, and Reed are all current. Names like Scott, Allen, Clark, Ross, Mitchell, Stewart, and Howard became first names so long ago that we don’t even consider them part of this trend. Many, like Bailey and Morgan, are every bit as popular – or even more common – for our daughters.

But we’re also embraced longer names for our boys. Sebastian and Elijah, Ezekiel and Leonardo all rank in the current US Top 100.

Longer surname names for boys combine the best of both approaches – the familiarity of last names like Sawyer or Brooks, the longer sound of Santiago or Dominic. Many an English occupational surname has had a good run – even if you’re not quite sure what a Walker did, back in the day.

They’re very much on trend, and yet this entire category tends to feel more timeless than trendy.

Read on for some three-syllable or longer surname names for boys!

POPULAR SURNAME NAMES WITH THREE SYLLABLES

ANDERSON

Television anchor Anderson Cooper – yes, that’s his real name – has put this longer surname possibility on the list for boys. For now, classic Andrew remains more popular.

CAMERON

Cameron has been so steadily popular that we tend to think of it as a given name. But no question this friendly, Scottish import started out as a surname, was pushed into the Top 100 by Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and has had a good run for girls, too. Today it’s a modern staple, and maybe even the forerunner of the longer surname names for boys trend.

DANGELO

Most parents probably spell it D’Angelo, as in son of Angelo.

DONOVAN

An update for Donald, with the addition of that cool v sound.

EDISON

Thomas Alva makes this name bright. It shorts to Ed, Eddie, or even Ned – though no nickname is required.

ELLIOT and ELLIOTT

Combined, the two spellings make this name even more common. And El- headlines some of the most popular names, for boys and girls alike. 80s pop culture gave the world Elliots in both E.T. the Extra Terrestrial and thirtysomething. 

EMERSON

It’s more popular for our daughters, but not by much. Famous nineteenth century writer and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson keeps this surname equal opportunity.

EVERETT

Ultimately derived from the Old English words for “brave” and “boar,” Everett started out as a surname form of given name Everard – which is now extinct.

FINNEGAN

One of many Finn names, this one with a literary tie thanks to James Joyce.

HARRISON

Beatles alum George Harrison makes this a rock star surname pick. It helps that we’re wild about related name Henry, though Harry remains relatively uncommon in the US.

JAMESON and JAMISON

Combine the two spellings, and this James-derived surname is even more popular. The Irish whiskey brand is spelled with an E.

REMINGTON

A young Pierce Brosnan answered to this name in 1980s television series Remington Steele – within the context of the show, it was meant as an over-the-top, hyper-masculine choice. It’s borrowed from Eliphalet Remington, who founded an American arms manufacturer in 1816. More than two centuries later, the name is trending for our children.

SULLIVAN

The furry blue Pixar creature is James P. Sullivan, but we know him as Sully. Could Monsters, Inc. and its prequel helped boost this name, but it also just fits the longer surname names for boys trend.

MORE 3-SYLLABLE and LONGER SURNAME NAMES

ATKINSON

Atkinson means “son of Adam” via Adkin, which became Atkin. It’s seldom used as a given name, but could have potential.

BENNINGTON

There’s the historic Vermont town, of course, named for Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth. It’s an unexpected formal name option for Ben.

BONAVENTURE

Romantic Italian Bonaventura or Bonaventure carries a great meaning: good fortune.

BRODERICK

Either a Welsh or Norse import, made more wearable thanks to the ongoing popularity of Brody.

CALDERON

Rugged surname Calder is an underused gem. Calderon goes farther, a Spanish place name for someone living near a caldera – a crater or basin in the mountains.

CALLAHAN

There are some fabulous elaborations for the short form Cal, and some great Irish choices that pick up where Ryan left off. Callahan checks both boxes.

CALLAWAY, CALLOWAY

Another Cal option, but with connections to a French place name instead.

CARPENTER

An occupational surname that’s still obvious today. (Compared to, say, Carter.) But it’s also potentially a spiritual reference, thanks to Jesus’ training as a carpenter, following in the foosteps of his foster father, Joseph.

CARRINGTON

The Dynasty clan’s surname, Carrington is sometimes respelled with a K.

CASTILLO

A Spanish surname derived from the word castle, and originally given to someone who lived nearby one.

CONNELLY

An Irish surname, Connelly ultimately comes from a given name meaning valiant.

COSTELLO

It sounds Italian, but this name is actually the Anglicized form of a longer Gaelic name. It’s musical, too, thanks to the legendary Elvis Costello.

DAVISON

Tack -son on to almost anything, and it becomes a surname name. But Davison legitimately appears as a surname, just a little longer than Davis, and less expected than classic David.

DELGADO

It’s a Spanish surname, originally from the Latin delicatus – delicate. The original bearers of this surname might have been slim. It’s worth noting, though, that an older meaning of delicatus was delightful.

DENNISON

An elaboration of Dennis – and maybe an update to that traditional choice, too.

DONAGHUE

Another very Irish appellation, and possible refresh for Donald.

DEVEREAUX

Originally a name for someone from Évreux, France, today it is an appealing way to get the nickname Dev.

DURANTE

The Latin verb durare means to endure. That makes Durante a solid choice for a son.

ELLERY

This surname was likely whispered down the alley from Hilary, which started out as masculine. It has a great meaning: cheerful.

ELLINGTON

As in jazz great Duke Ellington.

ELLISON

More popular for girls, but rich with potential for a son, too. Ellis is also heard.

ERICSON

Yes, another name with -son tacked on to a familiar first. Ericson, of course, brings to mind the Vikings.

FERGUSON

This Irish and Scottish name might’ve been a great formal name option for Gus. However, the events and subsequent protests in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014 might give parents pause.

FORESTER

If Forrest is too outdoorsy – or too Gump – then Forrester takes it in a more occupational direction.

GALLAGHER

Years ago, a comedian called Gallagher smashed watermelons with a sledgehammer for laughs. Born Leo Anthony Gallagher, Jr., his fame during the 1980s probably made this name a non-starter. But all these years later, Gallagher has potential.

GARDINER

Originally a name for someone who worked in a garden, today it feels a little bit outdoorsy, a little bit buttoned-up.

GARRISON

An update to Gary, a successor to Garrett. Garrison is familiar as a first name thanks to Lake Wobegon comedian Keillor.

GILLESPIE

Another Irish import, this name was made famous by jazz trumpeter and composer Dizzy Gillespie.

HAMILTON

If the runaway success of Broadway musical Hamilton didn’t launch this surname name, it might never catch on. While Ham isn’t the best short name, it’s possibly to choose Mills – or even retro Milt, maybe? – instead.

HOLLANDER

It once might have referred to some of Dutch descent, but today, Hollander seems like an elaboration of Hollis and Holland.  

HUTCHINSON

Doesn’t Hutch have a cool sound? It’s derived from Hugh. Like many entries on this list, Hutchinson transforms an overlooked medieval nickname into a cool surname name possibility.

JEFFERSON

A surname that originally meant “son of Jeffery,” and a nod to Founding Father Thomas Jefferson.

MACALLISTER

Take the appealing nickname Mac, mix it with Alasdair, and MacAllister is the result. It’s also the surname of Kevin in Christmas movie classic Home Alone. 

MACAULAY

Speaking of Home Alone, child actor Macaulay Culkin rose to fame in the 1990 hit movie and helped boost his unusual given name.

MACGREGOR

Looking for an update to Greg? MacGregor works, though fans of Beatrix Potter know that this name may go chasing rabbits.

MACINTYRE, MCINTYRE

Yet another Mack name, one that means “son of the craftsman.”

MAGUIRE

Another well-established Irish option.

MAGNUSON

A Scandi import, also spelled Magnusson.

MATHESON

Multiple spellings of this name all derive from classic Matthew.

MONTGOMERY

This aristocratic French surname was worn by Hollywood’s Montgomery Clift.

MORRISON

Most often, Morrison comes from English names like Morris and Maurice – the latter a French form of a Latin name, typically softened to Morris in English pronunciation and spelling. The Doors’ Jim Morrison makes it a rock star possibility. Shorter surname Moore is also common, but maybe the obvious nickname for Morrison would be Mo/Moe?

NAVARRO

A surname for someone from Navarre, Spain. It’s possibly from a word for valley, or maybe for a word meaning brown. Either way, Navarro has an edgy but wearable sound.

NICHOLSON

If Harrison and Anderson rank in the Top 1000, why not Nicholson? Actor Jack lends it plenty of cool. Collins is another, shorter cousin, but tends to be more popular for girls in the US.

OLIVANDER

Invented for the Wizarding World, but perfectly plausible as an Oliver-Alexander style mash-up, too.

PATTERSON

A surname update to classic, kelly green Patrick. Pattison – as in actor Robert – is another option. Peterson could also work, but feels least likely.

PENNINGTON

Longer surname names for boys like Pennington often start out as place names, and that’s true for Pennington, too.

RAFFERTY

An upbeat Irish surname, made famous by Jude Law’s son Rafferty – now a model, and increasingly famous in his own right.

ROBINSON

Classic Robert and old school Robin are both options for a son, but Robinson is another. It works better than, say, Roberts, but shorter options like Robson are also choices.

ROCHESTER

As in Jane Eyre, and maybe a formal name for Rocky, too.

SPINNAKER

A spinnaker is a sail, useful if you want to sail with the wind.

SUTHERLAND

Sutherland completes the compass of Westley, Easton, and Kardashian baby North. Actors Donald and Kiefer lend this name some additional style.

TENNYSON

A poetic surname name related to Dennison.

TOLLIVER

The English form of Italian surname Taliaferro, and maybe a substitute for mega-popular Oliver.

TOMLINSON

Just Thompson has potential, but for something longer, consider Tomlinson. Tomlin was once a pet form of Thomas. Today, though, both Tomlin and Tomlinson feel like surname choices.

WHITAKER

It might mean white field or wheat field, but his sound brings to mind quick wit.

WILKINSON

Surnames like Williams and Wilson are far more popular, but Wilkinson – with potential short form Wilkie – feels like it has potential.

WILLOUGHBY

With Willow so popular, Willoughby is worth a look, too.

Would you consider any of these longer surname names for boys for a son?

First published on September 6, 2013, this post was revised and updated on February 9, 2023 and again on October 9, 2024.