The Best Surname Names for Girls: Popular to Rare

Surname names for girls have gone from a sometimes-heard family custom to one of the biggest categories of baby names today.

Not every surname makes the list. We tend to favor English, Irish, and Scottish choices – regardless of our own heritage. Kowalski just doesn’t feel like a first name, even though Madison and Harper do.

Not every English surname works, either. Williams and Johnson seldom make it to the first spot. And while Willis and Jackson have had their moments, they tend to be used for boys.

Despite those limitations, the possibilities abound. And because we’ve grown accustomed to hearing last names in the first spot, there’s plenty of room for innovation.

If surname names for girls are your style, but you’re looking for something a little less common, start with this list. It includes lots of choices ranked in the Top 1000, but also plenty that have never ranked – from the mainstream to the most obscure.

What makes a surname a good girl’s name? There are no rules, but these attributes help:

• It can shorten to a feminine nickname, like Maddie for Madison.
• A famous woman – real or fictional – helps us think of the name as unisex, like Cameron Diaz. 
• It’s not especially common for either gender, freeing the name from any specific image.

Before we dive into the rare surname choices for a daughter, let’s review the surname names for girls already ranked in the US Top 100.

POPULAR SURNAME NAMES FOR GIRLS

• HARPER –  Literary and meaningful.
• AVERY – Among the most popular surname names for girls in recent years.
• MADISON – Powerfully popular in recent years, ever since Splash made it a mermaid name.
• RILEY – A nod to Ireland, and a popular name for boys and girls alike.
• PAISLEY – Borrowed from a place name in Scotland, with a colorful, bohemian vibe.
• ADDISON – Madison’s logical successor, though Addison is actually a cousin to Adams
• KINSLEY – A surname that followed choices like Kinley and Paisley into wider use.
• EVERLY – A surname take on favorites like Evelyn. 
• EMERY – This French origin surname blends the best of Emma and Emily with Avery and Riley.
• KENNEDY – Inspired by the famous family.
• QUINN – More common as a girl’s name, Quinn’s Gaelic origins make this an appealing choice for anyone with Irish heritage. 

ABBOTT

Beckett and Barrett are favorites for our sons, but Abbott shortens to Abby – which might make it one of those surname names for girls.

ADAIR

Originally a Scottish form of Edgar, Adair brings to mind Showtime series Dead Like Me’s Daisy Adair. Easy nickname Addie adds to the name’s appeal.

AINSLEY, ENSLEY

An A surname name boosted by a character on television’s The West Wing. Other spellings are in use.

ALSTON

An English place name with a buttoned-up vibe.

ANISTON, ANNISTON

Borrowed from actor Jennifer, who spells it with a single N, the name works because of easy nickname Annie. It resembles the recently popular Addison, from “son of Adam,” but Aniston has separate origins.

ARDEN

English surname with a hint of Shakespeare about it, thanks to the historical place favored by the famous playwright.

ASHBY

Ashley meets Beatrice.

AUSTEN

As in literary giant Jane. Popular boys’ name and Texas city Austin comes from Augustine. 

BAILEY

An occupational surname, Bailey originally referred to someone who worked as a bailiff. Television characters from WKRP in Cincinatti and Party of Five gave it a boost.

BARDOT

If screen legend Brigitte Bardot weren’t such a controversial figure, making a series of hateful, ugly remarks across many years, this name would surely be more popular. While it’s used sparingly as a girl’s name, and has style for days, it’s just not wearable.

BAYLOR

Take Taylor, mix in water name Bay, layer on some school spirit, and Baylor is the inevitable – and stylish – result.

BELLAMY

A relatively recent arrival to the US Top 1000, Bellamy combines a great meaning: beautiful friend – with that Bell sound we love.

BENNETT

A boys’ name also ranked for girls, thanks in part to the famous Kelce family. Retired football player Jason and wife Kylie are now podcasters, and parents to four girls: Wyatt, Elliotte, Bennett, and Finnley. 

BERKELEY, BERKLEY

Made familiar thanks to the California campus of the state university, Berkeley is a surname that sounds both current and quite smart.

BOWIE

A Scottish surname meaning yellow with rock star vibes, thanks to the late, legendary David. 

BLAIR

Here’s proof that surname names for girls aren’t brand new: Blair has ranked in the US Top 1000 for girls since we met Blair Warner on The Facts of Life. Parents today, though, probably think of the original Gossip Girl’s Blair Waldorf. That one-two punch of fictional characters f helped establish it as a preppy, polished name for a daughter. For Disney fans, it could be all about legendary designer Mary Blair, and if you’re a horror movie buff, then The Blair Witch Project gives it a whole other vibe.

BLAKE

Blake Lively made her given name a feminine option. Some parents extend it to Blakeley.

BRADLEY

Actress Reese Witherspoon put her family name firmly on parents’ list of surname names for girls. But on Apple TV+ series The Morning Show, Witherspoon plays Bradley. Could this former favorite for boys appeal to parents of girls, too? 

BRINKLEY 

As in 1980s supermodel Christie.

BRYCE

Actress Bryce Dallas Howard puts her unusual first name on this list. She was named after the national park, Bryce Canyon. The park was named after early settler, Ebenezer Bryce. It’s a little bit Hollywood, a little bit rugged independence. 

CADY

Cady sounds almost exactly like Katherine nickname Katie. But many will recognize it as the name of suffragette and reformer Elizabeth Cady Stanton – or of the main character in Mean Girls.

CAMERON

The Cameron family’s history runs deep in Scotland, thanks to Clan Cameron. But it makes this list thanks to actress Cameron Diaz. Spellings like Camryn and Kamryn are popular, too.

CAMPBELL

Journalist Campbell Brown raised her name as a possibility for girls, a mix of Camila and Isabella with surname style. It’s a logical alternative to Scottish surname Cameron.

CARRIGAN

Another Irish surname name, Carrigan shortens to feminine favorite Carrie.

CARSON

Like Carter, Carson feels like an obvious crossover option. 20th century author Carson McCullers was born Lula Carson Smith. 

CARTER

Popular for boys, but also with potential as a girl’s name.

CASEY

An Irish last name that has long since made the jump to given name status, as a girls’ and boys’ name, too. 

CASSIDY

An Irish surname long embraced for our daughters.

CHANDLER

Made famous by friends, Chandler means “candle maker.”

CLARK, CLARKE

Clarke feels more masculine, but popular sci fi series The 100 gave the name to its female hero. The series featured characters named Bellamy, Wells, Lincoln, and Octavia, making it an engine of fresh name options.

COLBY

Long before it was a cheese, Colby was a place name and a surname name, too. During the 1980s, it shimmered with all the glamour of prime time soap operas. In fact, The Colbys launched as a spin-off of decade-defining series Dynasty. Today it’s much more common for boys. 

COLLINS

Borrowed from the daughter in real life book-turned-movie The Blind Side, Collins also brings to mind actor Lily Collins. It might be of Irish or English origin, but we tend to associate it with Colin, a form of Nicholas.

DALE

An English name meaning valley – and still sometimes used as a poetic substitute – this nature name has a long history of sparing use for girls. One famous figure? Singing cowgirl Dale Evans, wife of Roy Rogers. Her given name? Frances Smith. 

DARBY

One of many -by ending place names/surnames, Darby has darted into the US Top 1000 for girls previously. During the early 2000s, Disney Channel animated series My Friends Tigger & Pooh substituted a red-headed girl named Darby for Christopher Robin. (Though technically she was his BFF, also in the know about the 100 Acre Woods.)

DELANCEY

Delaney reigns as the most popular of D surname names for girls. But how about Delancey? It’s a New York City street name, close, but with a softening ‘c’ sound.

DELANEY

This name might have Norman French or Irish roots, but it’s definitely a well-established choice for a daughter.

DESTRY

An English take on a French surname, Destry was the sheriff in a famous American western. But it feels like a surname take on Destiny, and therefore just feminine enough.

DIOR

A name with a haute couture pedigree and possibly a glittering meaning too: golden.

DREW

In the 21st century, we think of this as a nickname for Andrew. But it started out as a medieval spin on Drogo, a son of European ruler Charlemagne. For actress Drew Barrymore, it’s the surname of her paternal great-grandmother. 

ELLERY

Fictional detective Ellery Queen might make this name masculine. Except it feels like an Ella-Avery smoosh. Plus, Eleri is an unrelated name from Welsh legend.

ELLIOT, ELLIOTT

While this surname is more popular for boys, any name that shortens to Ellie has crossover potential.

ELLIS, ELLISON

Ellis sounds quite a bit like girl’s name Alice, and Ellison? Just like Allison. The E serves as a twenty-first century update.

EMBRY

It sounds a little like nature name Ember, but Embry evolved from either Emery or place name Emborough.

EMERSON

Another Em- name with potential for our daughters, though spelling Emersyn is more popular.

FALLON

This Irish name meaning leader was boosted by a Dynasty character during the 1980s. Today it’s rather Jimmy Fallon, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

FINLEY

One of the few Finn names that feels nicely gender-neutral.

FLANNERY

Writer Flannery O’Connor – born Mary Flannery – makes this name every bit as literary as Harper.

FRASER, FRASIER, FRAZIER

No matter the spelling, Fraser’s potential comes from two factors. First, we love -r ending names. Second, since the actual meaning is unknown, I tend to think of the French word for strawberry – fraise.

GATES

A surname name for someone who lived near – what else – the city gates, or a similar landmark. Actress Gates McFadden played Dr. Beverly Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Author Curtis Sittenfeld’s debut 2005 novel, Prep, gave the name to a high-achieving female character, too. 

GIBSON

It means son of Gilbert, but the Gibson Girl epitomized feminine style in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

GRAY, GREY

As colors go, Gray is gentler than bold Scarlett. It almost feels like a modern take on Jane or Claire, a tailored name that’s just feminine enough.

GREER

A Scottish form of Gregory, Greer Garson starred in Hollywood films in the 1940s. It’s felt feminine ever since.

HADLEY

Hadley Richardson was Ernest Hemingway’s first wife, immortalized in historical fiction bestseller The Paris Wife.

HALSTON

Fashion house Halston defined the 1970s, but feels ahead of the curve in the 2020s.

HARLEY

As in the motorcyle, as well as DC villian Harley Quinn.

HARLOW

Made famous by Nicole Richie, Harlow drips with the glamour of Hollywood icon Jean Harlow.

HATTON

The name of more than one village in England, Hatton is now a logical choice for a baby girl – assuming parents wish to call her Hattie.

HAVILAND, HAVILLAND

The surname of Academy Award-winning actor Olivia de Havilland, it feels like a surname update to names like Evelyn.

HAYDEN

While it’s challenging to untangle Hayden from Aiden, Brayden, Jaydon, and Kadyn, there’s no question that Hayden is a legit surname with polished appeal.

HAYES

Actress Hayley Atwell played a character named Hayes Morrison in single-season legal drama Conviction. It’s just a hop and a skip from popular Hayley to Hayes, so this tracks as a successor surname option, too. 

HAYLEY

Speaking of Hayley, this name caught on thanks to 1960s child star Hayley Mills. It’s a surname inherited from her mother, Mary Hayley Mills.  Also spelled Haley, and respelled to Hailee, Haylee, and more since, it feels less like a surname and more like a mainstream choice today. 

HENLEY

An English place name and surname, Henley is also a type of shirt. While it’s worn by everyone now, it has a sort of J Crew/LL Bean sensibility that makes it feel preppy and rugged.

HOLLAND

Actress Holland Taylor has built a long career, making her unusual first name familiar. While it’s clearly a place name, Holland also feels like an elaboration of Holly.

HOLLIS

Nature name Holly preceded Willow by decades. That might make holly-adjacent surname Hollis a logical choice now.

HUNTER

Outdoorsy Hunter has long been a go-to for our boys, but it has been steadily used for girls, too.

INGALLS

As in Laura Ingalls Wilder, the hero of the enduring Little House series.

ISLEY

The spelling is open for debate; it’s Eisele in German, the version Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott chose for her daughter. But Isley looks a little sleeker, and it’s the version used by Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Isley Brothers. All of the names seem to come from the Germanic element isan – iron.

JAMES

One of the reasons James feels workable for a daughter is that it isn’t just a classic given name. It’s been used as a surname for generations, too.

JAMESON, JAMISON

Jameson ranks in the boys’ Top 200. Does Jameson – or maybe the spelling Jamison – work for a daughter? It looks so close to Allison and Madison, and Jamie has been used for girls since at least the 1890s.

JOPLIN

As in 1960s music legend Janis Joplin – though maybe Joplin, Missouri or composer Scott Joplin come to mind.

JORDAN

It’s easy to dismiss Jordan as a pop culture novelty, boosted by Michael Jordan’s overwhelming fame in the 1980s. But Jordan has been a name used for children since the Crusaders came back from the Holy Lands in the Middle Ages. It continues to be a familiar girl’s name today.

KAHLO

From the surname of the artist, Frida Kahlo.

KENDALL

English place name-turned-surname, Kendall was first boosted by a 1990s-era soap opera character on All My Children. Reality television star Kendall Jenner has since made it a very familiar choice. 

KENSINGTON

As in the fashionable London neighborhood and home to Kensington Palace, home to many members of the British royal family.

KERRIGAN

As in retired figure skating star Nancy Kerrigan, and another Irish surname with a built-in feminine nickname.

KIMBERLY

It’s been a popular girl’s name since the 1960s, and plenty of famous women have answered to Kim. Today Kimberly feels almost traditional, the forerunner of current favorites like Delaney.

KINLEY

A Scottish surname, Kinley mixes in with Finley (it’s related), as well as Kenley and so many similar choices. 

LANDRY

It sounds like a surname, and it’s used that way now. But back in the early Middle Ages, Landric or Landry was a French saint – more than one. It means “land ruler.”

LANE

Years ago, if your family happened to live by a lane? This could have become your surname. Also respelled Laine and Layne, it’s eclipsed by runaway hit name Lainey, but also a cousin to established sound-alikes Elaine and company. 

LANGLEY

An attractive sound, Langley is forever associated with the Virginia city where the CIA is headquartered. That lends Langley a little muscle, and puts it on the list of underused, cool last names.

LANIER, LAINIER

In French, laine means wool, so this probably started out as an occupational surname. That flourish of an -ier ending that feels right for a daughter. Plus, it leads to nickname Laney/Lainey.

LARKIN

If you think this is all about a bird, well … names like Raven and Wren are big, so that tracks. But Larkin is actually a nickname from Lawrence that’s now a surname, too.

LENNON

It might mean sweetheart, or possibly cape. But Lennon is famous thanks to the late musician, and the meaning is forever linked to his legacy.

LENNOX

A Scottish surname meaning “place of elms” that followed Lennon into greater use.

LINDEN

Tree name Linden might have hewed too close to Lyndon B. Johnson in decades past. But as that association fades, Linden feels more like the nature name that it is – or else, an update for Baby Boomer favorite Linda.

LIVELY

Another surname name borrowed from an actress, this time Blake Lively. It also feels a little like an Olivia/Liv spin-off. 

LOGAN

Originally a Scottish surname, Logan has been heavily used as a first in the US since the 1970s. It’s now strongly associated with Marvel’s Wolverine, which makes it slightly less feminine. But any name this popular tends to occasionally be heard across gender lines.

MACKENZIE

Spirited Mackenzie was made famous by actress Mackenzie Phillips in the 1970s. It lifted names like McKayla and Mckenna into wider use, too.

MACY

Familiar to anyone who has ever visited an American shopping mall, and at least as famous as the long-time sponsor the New York City Thanksgiving Day parade, Macy rhymes with 20th century favorites Tracy and Stacy. Macy spiked in use during the 1990s thanks to a soap opera character, and then reality television gave us the spelling Maci in the 2000s.

MADIGAN

Yes, it’s quite close to Madison. But the tragic story of Elvira Madigan, and the Mozart piano concerto that now bears her name, lends it something different.

MAGUIRE

It feels masculine – but then again, it shortens to traditional girl nickname Maggie.

MALLORY

While the mal carries a negative meaning, this name’s lovely sound overcame many parents’ hesitation. It’s the oldest sister’s name in 1980s smash hit television sitcom Family Ties, making it a household name.

MARLOW, MARLOWE

An alternative to Harlow, one that benefits from midcentury girl name Marlo.

MASON

Like nearly any wildly popular surname name for boys, Mason is sometimes heard for girls. One high profile use? Mason Olivia Grammer, daughter of actor Kelsey and his ex-wife Camille. The latter joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Mason is now a model. 

MCKENNA

Smash hit surname name from the 1990s, with plenty of spelling variations to consider.

MCKINLEY

Another Mc/Mac surname name, though this one never quite reached the heights enjoyed by McKenna and Mackenzie.

MERIWETHER, MERRIWETHER, MERRYWETHER

Originally a surname for a cheerful person, Meriwether brings to mind at least two distinct images. First, explorer Meriwether Lewis, of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, crossed the American west. Many decades later, Merrywether appears in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty as one of Princess Aurora’s godmothers.

MILLER

An occupational name for someone who would grind grain, Miller now feels a little more like naming your baby Stella Artois. Except Millie is a sweet built-in nickname.

MONROE

It’s a common surname. But Monroe shimmers with all the glam of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. Noted Marilyn fan Mariah Carey chose it for her daughter’s name. The O ending helps Monroe sound just right as a personal name, too.

MORGAN

Sometimes a surname and sometimes the name of an enchantress from the tales of King Arthur. 

MURPHY

Friendly Irish surname made famous by fictional character Murphy Brown. 

NEALEY

Nealey comes with a few meanings, including “son of the poet.” It almost sounds like a feminine form of Neil.

NIGHTINGALE

A bird name in the key of Wren, Nightingale also brings to mind world-changing nurse Florence Nightingale, making it a hero name.

OAKLEY

A fast-rising nature-meets-surname name option.

OGILVIE

Ogilvie doesn’t sound quite like a given name. But with Everly and Avery so popular, it might work. It started out as a surname meaning “high place.”

PADGETT

Trace Padget back to Page – as in a young servant in a royal court. It actually claims a Greek origin – paidion, which meant boy or youth. Page led the surname Padgett, and actress Padgett Brewster put it on our list of possibilites for a daughter.

PALMER

Palmer means pilgrim, a reference to the palm fronds medieval travelers brought home from the Holy Lands. It layers meaning on to a modern-sounding choice.

PARKER

Another surname that feels equal parts polished and outdoorsy.

PAXTON

While it doesn’t come from pax, the Latin word for peace, this Old English name benefits from the association.

PAYTON, PEYTON

An English surname that rose in popularity during the 1990s, for boys and girls alike.

PIPER

Musical surname Piper has been a favorite in recent years.

PRESLEY

Just like Lennon is linked to John, so Presley is hard to separate from Elvis.

QUINCE

It almost sounds like Quinn-with-an-s, but Quince is a pear-shaped fruit … or a surname for someone who grew or sold them.

QUINLAN

Names like Quinley abound, but Quinlan sounds like one of the most substantial. Plus, like so many of our favorite surname names, it’s Irish.

QUINTANA

A Spanish name meaning country house, Quintana could be an elaboration of Quinn – but that might be a good thing.

REESE

Actress Reese Witherspoon made this name an appealing option for a daughter. 

REEVE

It sounds like Eve-with-an-R, or Reese-with-a-v. An occupational surname for a steward or bailiff, you might think of writer Reeve Lindbergh, daughter of Charles and Anne Lindbergh.

REMINGTON

This name sounds more masculine than some on the list, but it comes with built-in nickname Remy, which has become a white hot unisex choice.

RIDLEY

As a surname, it means something like “reed clearing.” Though it brings to mind actress Daisy Ridley, famous for playing Rey in the Star Wars universe.

RIPLEY

Sigourney Weaver played the fearless Ellen Ripley in the Alien movies, adding her character’s surname to our list of strong surname names for girls. Despite the series’ ongoing success, this remains a relatively unique last name for a daughter.

ROONEY

Actress Rooney Mara is the reason this Gaelic import sounds right on a daughter.

ROWAN

One of the most popular unisex names of our day, a little bit from the natural world, but also a surname-style favorite.

SAWYER

In simplest terms, a sawyer was one who sawed wood. But it’s also literary (Tom), accomplished (Diane), and Lost. (Just Sawyer, though the character’s backstory is complicated.)

SHELBY

A successor to Michelle, Shelby has been boosted by movies – most notably Steel Magnolias – as well as racing legend Carroll Shelby.

SINCLAIR

From Saint Clair, Sinclair feels just on the right side of feminine.

SLOAN, SLOANE

This name was boosted in the 1980s for so many reasons – Ferris Bueller’s girlfriend, the future Princess Diana’s Sloane Square residence. Drop an E and it’s Sloan, a character from Entourage a few decades later. Sleek and stylish, and a not too rare surname for a daughter now.

SULLIVAN

While Sullivan is popular for boys, short form Liv makes it work for a daughter, too.

SUTHERLAND

Directional Sutherland looks less like it belongs on a compass and more like a name.

SUTTON

Broadway’s Sutton Foster made this a household name, and a go-to choice for girls as well as boys.

TATE

If Nate is masculine and Kate feminine, then Tate is … probably both. But it’s more popular for boys at the moment.

TATUM

Made famous by child actress Tatum O’Neal.

TAYLOR

A chart-topping sensation of a name during the 1990s, now worn by one of the biggest chart-topping women of our moment.

TEAGAN

Either a Welsh term of endearment or a rare Irish surname related to Tadhg. 

TENILLE, TENNILLE

During the 1970s, some parents took inspiration from singer Toni Tennille. As half of Captain & Tennille, she sang smash hits like “Love Will Keep Us Together.” The surname’s origins are obscure, but the sound fits in nicely with Tenley and Kendall and lots of last names we love for our daughters. 

TENLEY

Long before Kenley and Henley, figure skater Tenley Albright won the 1956 Olympic gold medal in figure skater. After hanging up her skates, she became a surgeon. While none of the names were especially popular until the 21st century, Albright hears from many other Tenleys and collects their stories.

TORRANCE, TORRENCE

A California place name with Scottish roots, Torrance makes it to this list thanks to 2000 cult classic movie Bring It On. Kirsten Dunst plays a cheerleader by the name. 

THAYER

An obscure form of Taylor, Thayer might wear well in our age of Thea.

VALE

Savannah Guthrie named her daughter Vale, but maybe it’s more poetic nature name than surname.

VALLETTA

Valletta sounds long and lovely, but it is a surname, not a first name in the key of Isabella. It comes from the capital city of Malta, named after Jean de Valette – which traces its meaning back to the word valley, too, just like Vale.

WALLIS

The twice-married American socialite’s romance with the future King Edward VIII scandalized a nation – and caused a crisis for the monarchy. It also put her unusual family name on the list of surname names for girls.

WHITAKER

An alternative to Whitney.

WHITNEY

A twentieth century staple, thanks to several figures, including singer Whitney Houston.

WINSLET

Inspired by actress Kate, with vintage nicknames Winnie or Lettie as a bonus. 

WINSLOW

Winslow is one-part Willow, two-parts Harlow.

YARDLEY

Surname name Yardley brings to mind Yardley of London soaps.

YARROW

Peter Yarrow belonged to 60s folk group Peter, Paul, and Mary. It’s the name of a flowering plant. Both associations make it feel gentle. If you’re looking for something rarer than Meadow and less expected than Harlow, Yarrow might be the perfect name.

ZAVALA

A middle name shared by two of Matt Damon’s daughters, Zavala is a Basque place name. It’s unconventional, but it sounds feminine.

Are there any surname names for girls our your list? 

First published on September 4, 2015, this post was revised substantially on May 12, 2020; September 12, 2021; November 13, 2024; and October 16, 2026.