I’m so excited to kick off our new baby name series today! We had so many wonderful submissions and will work our way through as many as we can. We hope even if we don’t get to yours specifically, that you find some names you love through someone who perhaps had a similar ask or style to you!
If you’re wondering who the “we” is that I’m referencing, it’s myself and my closest friend Lauren! Baby naming is a topic we’ve had fun with for ourselves, family and friends and the baby name posts I’ve shared here on the blog have been some of my all-time most popular, so clearly we aren’t alone in this! The two of us will be the ones brainstorming the initial list of names we share here based on the submissions we receive…
And then that’s where you all come in! After we share our suggestions, we’d love to hear YOU share any names you can think of that fit the description in the comments below! Let’s help some mamas out!! It’s going to be so fun.
So without further ado, let’s get to our first baby name topic from Annie M!!
Annie M has a daughter named Emerson Jane. She doesn’t know if she’s having a boy or girl, but has a boy name picked out already so she’s just looking for girl names for this little one! Here’s what Annie had to say:
We actually don’t know what we are having next month but we have a boy name we love. We are stuck on girl names!! We have no middle name picked out. I remember reading a book when I was pregnant with my first that described my name style as “last names first” and I think that’s probably very accurate because all the names in that category are names I like – but none I LOVE for a girl hence why I’m coming to you! ☺️ I’m the same as you, I don’t want a super popular or traditional name but I also don’t want to go overboard different/made up.
Ready for our suggestions!?
Last Names as First Names
There are so many last names that make perfect first names for little ones. They are often strong and bold, but still familiar and easy to pronounce. They also provide some fun nickname options! Here are a few favorites:
- Monroe
- Windsor (Winnie)
- Draper
- Jones
- Hutton
- Parker
- Campbell (Cammy)
- Miller
- Delaney
- Bennett (Bennie)
Short Middle Names To Pair With Surnames
Here are some short middle names that would pair perfectly with last names used as first names:
- Eve
- Grey/Gray/Grae
- Kate
- Era
- Noa
- Bee
- Greer
- Mae
- Moore
- Wren
Sample Name Pairings – Our Favorite Picks!
Here are some of our favorite combos from the surnames we listed above!
- Windsor Grey
- Jones Noa
- Campbell Mae
- Parker Bee
- Miller Wren
- Draper Moore
What are your favorite last names as first names?
Now here’s where you come in! What are your favorite last names that could be used as first names? What did we miss!? Or, any faves that we included? Would love to hear ’em below!!
Congratulations, Annie! Hope you find some names you love from this community!!
If you’re expecting or adopting and would like to apply to be a part of the series, click here to fill out this form about your situation and name preferences!!
cassie bustamante says
too funny- my daughter is emerson as well, emerson reed! we call her emmy, and she’s 13 now and prefers emmy.
i have two other kids- boys, sawyer and wilder… i am into the literary last names. 😉 we are done, but i could name babies forever… it’s SO fun!
Kelly says
Oh my gosh, LOVE all your kids names! And love Emmy as a nickname, too!
Julie says
WILDER! I Love. Excellent literary choice.
Rachelle says
I’m another Emerson mom! She’s Emerson Elizabeth – and her brothers are Fletcher and Griffin. I love naming babies, too. Delaney and Campbell were both on our list if we had another girl – as were Hadley and Sloane. 💕
Brooke Warren says
I was going to say Wilder too! That’s my 4 month olds name. I saw someone on Instagram whose daughter’s name is Wilder! I never thought of using it for a girl, but I LOVE it.
Jaimie says
So excited for this series and love this topic! I love Jones, and I’d also add Presley, Sloane and Taylor as my suggestions!
Akira says
I’ll throw something else in the ring…
Ellis Mae
xx
Kelly says
Oooh!! Ellis is such a great one!!
Tory says
My last name is Kennedy and I LOVE the name Kennedy for a baby girl! It’s actually on my list of girl names for when I have kids.
Everyone in my family (including me, my sister and weirdly both of my parents) also has last name middle names that are older family last names that have died out. My middle name is Walker, which was my great great grandmother’s maiden name. It may be fun to look at your family tree and find a family last name that has died out and bring it back for your child!
Lexy says
My middle name is also a family name, “Wilson,” and I love it. I intend to one day hopefully give it to my little girl as a middle name too!
Virginia says
Oh, I love that! My current last name is Wilson and although my fiancé and I don’t want children, I also say if it were to “happen” I’d like to use Wilson in some way.
Kara says
My daughter is Winslow Rose. Her nick name is Winnie!
Kelly says
WOW! I LOVE Winslow!!! And Winnie is one of my top fave names/nicknames!
Kara says
I know I was stuck on Winnie as her name but my husband really likes a “full” name but we didn’t love any of the ones we have heard for it before. Once I found the name Winslow I suggested it every day until my husband liked it, hahahaha! I love that it’s a bit neutral, not common at all but not too out there and she could choose other nick names from it if she preferred!
Jillian says
Taylor, May, Anderson (Andie), Quinn could all be cute girls names!
Laurel says
Fun series!
Lennon & Madison
Julie says
Abbey? Last name, but also sounds like a first name.
Brennan? Brennan Mae, Brennan Elise…
Holland, Hudson, Leigh, Malone?
I always find middle names from family to be beautiful. I like the last name as a first name + a very feminine middle name.
GOOD LUCK!!
Barbara says
Hi!! I wanted to add Barnes, Hill and Ross as first names. As sample name pairings: Hill Rose, Ross Ray, Barnes Lou or Barnes Noa.
From the ones you suggested I love Monroe Mae and Parker Eve.
Hope I helped! 💛✨
Jessie says
Surnames tend to be more gender neutral and constant heavy. They hit a balance between buttoned up/classic and trendy/new.
I would recommend Leighton, Ellis, Reeve, Blakely, Winslet, Hollis, Linden and Hadley.
Rachel says
My middle name is Leighton! It’s my mom’s maiden name. It’s kind of funny because I always wished I had a girl name as a middle name and now I’m seeing so many girls (and boys!) with that name.
Quinn says
I thought I’d see my name in this list! I almost never met other Quinn’s growing up, and if I did it was usually a guy. But I’ve been meeting more and more little girl Quinns! I teach preschool and we had 3 little Quinn’s at our school! (My mom said “It wasn’t supposed to be that way!” Mom, it’s ok for the name to become popular for a whole new generation haha!) But there’s another last name for first for yas!!
Mollie says
I have a little girl Quinn! She’s almost a year. Her middle name is Margaret. My other daughter is Kate Martin – which is my maiden name!
Mandy Butter says
Looking for a middle name and Love Hutton! So I immediately said it as her full name – Emilia Hutton Butter. Sounds like she’s going hunting for some butter so I quickly moved on 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Lauren says
Haha!! Hutton is one of my all time fave names, but I find it is very hard to pair!
Lauren says
Had a few other potential “last name/first names” for this expecting mama:
Quinn, Addison, Kennedy, Leighton, Elliot, Arden, Kieran, Reagan
Also totally agree about the cadence of having a short and sweet middle name, but think some of the suggested names don’t quite capture the timelessness of “Jane.” Alternatives could be: Elle, Rose, Hope
Lauren says
Love these Jane alternatives!
Ana B says
I have heard the name “Sullivan” for a little girl and it’s just so cute! The Sullivan I know goes by “Sully” and I love it because it has a lil bit of a classic feel (like Sally) but it’s a little more modern. And you get a Pixar reference in there, too!
Macy says
Love seeing Monroe! That’s my 3 yr old. I don’t think it’s SUPER popular, yet. I haven’t heard it much.Her’s is Monroe Madison P., Madison was my maiden name. The nickname has turned into MoMo, lol.
***My only complaint? People somehow mess up pronouncing it? They say the “Mon” syllable like it rhymes with “Ron” instead of rhyming with “nun.” Face palm… that’s when I have to say, “you know, like Marilyn Monroe”… someone I didn’t want people to think I was naming her after. Anyway.
Baby boy is coming in June and I need y’alls help to go with Monroe Madison P. I submitted my info, can’t wait to hear… or readers… reply here!
Jenny says
I can understand your frustration, where do you live? In my area on the east coast most people say Marilyn Monroe as if it rhymes with “Ron” so maybe it’s a accent thing? I’m a teacher and hate butchering a kids name, like when I have students with the name Brianna and some pronounce it “bri-ANNA” and some pronounce it “Bri-ON-a
Victoria says
My middle name is Fallon, which I quite like; it’s my mom’s maiden name, but not her real maiden name since my grandpa (son of Polish immigrants) changed the family name when my mom was a baby, as he was tired of people mispronouncing it, and my grandmother was Scotch-Irish anyway.
I only met one other girl called Fallon in high school, so it’s definitely uncommon!
Lauren says
LOVE Fallon – how fun!
Mary says
My fur daughter’s (cat) name is Sawyer and I love it as a girl’s name! Even though the vet always thinks she’s a boy, I like it better for a girl (:
Shayla says
My last name is McMurray which I think you could use Murray as a super cute first name. I also LOVE Kennedy and it is one of my favorite girl names (I would use this if I had a second daughter).
Also fun fact my friend in the third grade’s mother was pregnant and she loved my name (Shayla) so much she named her baby that too! Ha!
Victoria says
Wow, these names are so Southern! When I was growing up (90s/00s), so many girls were named Anna, Mary, Laura, or Catherine with a middle name to distinguish. Anna Kate/Anna Mae/Anna Jane…. you get it. I actually think the double name is pretty cute, but something to consider…. when you get married, if you change your name, you have to choose between keeping your middle or your maiden. Can’t have four legal names in most (all?) states.
A good sister name for Emerson? Write them together. Suggestions….
Emerson & Harper
Emerson & Leighton
Emerson & Reese
Emerson & Willow
Emerson & Scout
Emerson & Parker
Nicole says
What about Beckett Grey? I always loved Beckett and think it would be so good for a girl (nicknames: Becky or Beck or Kitt)
Courtney says
My friend recently named her little girl Sutton Wells lastname. Sutton is a first last name I would never think of, but it’s cute!
Lauren says
So good!!
G says
Auden
Brighton
Camden
Sullivan
Gardener
Abbott
Clarke
Coleman
Forester
Foster
Fallon
Granger
Kemper
Maison
Mariner
Meyer
G says
And Wellesley!
Maria says
My best friend’s married name is Palmer and I saw someone recently use it for a baby girl’s first name and I loved it!
Lauren says
Big fan of Palmer! Great for a girl or boy!
Shanne says
Personally I love the names Olivia and Lux but I looked into the more ‘last names’ and these are some I liked: Phoenix, Hunter, Bristow, Fenner, Farley, Fletcher and Hart. Goodluck and congratulations!
Shanne says
Oh and Harper
Kamille says
Here’s some I love…
Emerson
Reagan/rheagan
Kitt
Sawyer
Wren
Harper
Harlow/marlowe
Sutton
Best of luck!! ❤️
Amy says
I always liked Harlow…
Harper and Blake are options too!
The Bishop of Stortford says
You’ve obviously never visited Harlow, Essex
Marah says
Anderson Lee— Andie Lee❤️
Kelly says
SO cute!! I love Andie Lee!!
Meghann says
My daughter is Ruth Anderson! I was just coming here to say Anderson and do Andy!
Holley says
Love these! Especially Jones. My youngest son’s name is Murray, and I would have totally used it for a girl. I love last names as first names and gender-neutral names.
Elle says
I like these names, but definitely not for someone with an ethnic last name.
Draper Rodriguez?
Delaney Pangalingan?
Monroe De La Rosa?
Windsor Ang?
Definitely not choices my friends or family can make because of our background.
Madeline Masters says
Reagan, Kennedy, Shiloh, and McKenzie are all last names that have been used to name girls. As for middle names, Ray, Wren, and May are all good short names.
Katie says
Our Taylor was very almost Murphy, after my maiden name. She’s a total Taylor, but a part of me wishes I hadn’t gotten nervous at the last minute and gone for it! (Apparently I’m also a Last Name as First Name person! I never realized it until now.)
Kelsey says
Emerson Jane and…
Lennon James
Or
Arden Ann 😍
Maria says
Well i just wanted to add Three names that i think are besutiful: Lina, Lúa and Frida 😉
Anna says
I recently had a friend have a baby girl named Carson and they’re calling her Sonny as a nickname which I adore! I love the suggestion above for Anderson (Andie)!
A few others I like below. I personally know a woman/girl named all of these options and love them:
Pierce
Channing
Grady
Marley
Austen
Lane
Piper
Bryson
Charley
Bethany Graham says
My second daughter’s name is Bowie Wren! Bo or Bo-Bo for a nickname. I’m just now realizing that her name fits the criteria haha My first daughter’s name is Charley Robin!
Vanessa says
I love these names! Nice touch for the siblings to both have bird middle names, too.
Shannon says
I like different names as well, my sons name is Maverick Wirth but for a girl these would be super cute!
Bellamy
Sutton
F says
Love the name Pruitt for a girl!
Keeley says
I love Palmer that someone suggested above! I also love Hollis and Collins (I heard Collins on The Blind Side and liked it ever since). And there is a hairstylist in my city named Wagner, and I love that too!
Kristin says
I’ve always loved the name Callaway for a girl. Sounds like a kid detective. 🙂 And calla lilies could be her flower.
Brianne says
I love the last name first idea so much! My daughter’s name is Shaw! Her middle name is Marie as it is a family name but Shaw Marie works so well together. We had Shaw before we knew she was a girl so it could work for a boy as well!
Elle says
I’ve been trying to pitch Roosevelt as a girls name to my friends for years. I think it’s such a cute last name first, and you could call her Rosie.
Lily says
What about Greer? She has an old Hollywood glamour. Something long and feminine in the middle would be pretty… Greer Evangeline?
Other ideas:
Harlow/Marlowe
Holland
Brighton
Dagny
Bexley
Drea says
My daughters is Elliott Olivia. I once met someone named Elliott and her daughters name was Marin, which is my last name!
Erica says
I have a daughter named Madigan Murphy as her first and middle names. (My mom is a Murphy girl.) I couldn’t decide between the two names and decided I didn’t have to. Now my daughter uses Murph as a college nickname after being a Maddy all her childhood.
Also we had dogs named Callahan (our Callie girl) and McCovey (Big Mac).
Forever a last name first fan!
Lindsay says
Here are a few of my favorite “Last Names First.”
Adaire
Baylor
Collins
Darby
Eisley (eyes-lee)
Ellis
Garlan
Wilder
Winslet
The One and Only Lively James’ Mom says
I know an awesome little girl named Lively James 😉
Carrie says
I saw this name only one other time in the comments…I think Lane is such a great name that could be considered a “last name.” Reminds me of Gilmore Girls.
Stacy says
Parker is a family name on both sides of our family and is our son’s name…so it’s a favorite! 🙂
Other ideas for girls
Smith
Jameson
Larson
Coleman
Pruitt
Carter
Foster
A nice short middle name is Lee.
Love this series!
Rebecca says
When I was expecting my son (in 2000), I was looking in the pantry one day and almost named him Campbell Kellogg! I still really like that name. I almost picked Jack Daniel too 😁
Allison says
My son is named Bennett! I love last names first. Some other names I loved were/are
Murphy
Tanner
Turner
Sutton
Sterling
Grayson
Hawkins
Jamie says
My current favorite girl name is Olive. You have to follow @lindsayreganthorne on ig (hope I spelled that correctly) her daughter is Olive and they call her Oli and she is absolutely hysterical. The most courageous child I have ever seen.
Jamie says
I was wrong, it’s @lindseyreganthorne !
Molly Banks says
I LOVE the name Banks, and then I married a Banks 🤣
Mandy says
If you keep up this series, I’m going to need to have like 50 kids – so many good names!!! I love looking at family trees and pulling names from there. Unorthodox opinion – but i love that Khloe Hardashian named her daughter True as it was a great grandfather and grandfather’s first and middle names.
Jaclyn says
Its funny because Miller is my maternal mothers maiden name (my Nana) and Moore is my last name. So Miller Moore would be cool to do. Millie is also a nickname for Miller 🙂
Lindsay says
I’ve only read through about half the comments so I may be repeating. I have always wanted to name a girl Sutton (I have two boys of course!). I also love Miller, Darby, Morgan and James. It’s actually my son’s name but it’s so cute and unexpected for a girl.
I taught a Wakefield. And Charles is so cute for a girl, but I love it as a double name— eg: Mary Charles 🙂
Love all these suggestions!
Melissa says
A friend of mine named his daughter Collins!
Colleen McCaffrey says
Someone may already have mentioned this, but surnames as first names is relatively common. It’s especially common in the area I live among those families that are wealthier and want to keep maiden names and older maternal surnames in the spotlight.
Actual girls I have met with surnames as first names: Keaton, Quinn, Farley, Carling, Barkley, Bellamy, Delaney, Nealey, Parker, Arden, Grier, Beckett, Carson, Easton, Spencer, Tate.
Love some of the other suggestions!!
bridget says
One of my colleagues has a tradition in her family: they name their child after the last name of one of their grandparents. That resulted in her first name being Holland and her baby’s name is Copper!
Ashley Wright says
I’m jumping in late, here…. My daughter is Sutton Grace. Sutton is my maiden name and we were going to name our first born Sutton whether boy or girl. We named my son Fisher. I regret his middle name which is McAllister. It’s family name and we planned on his nickname being Mac, but we just called him Fisher and have never called him Mac and, well… Fisher MacAllister is a mouth full. I love last names as first names and have noted some of these mentioned in case we get to name another baby.
Taylor says
There is a little girl at my son’s daycare whose name is Murphy! It’s the absolute cutest! Her nickname is “Smurf” which is adorable! She has a little brother named Graham. 🙂
Valerie Tucker says
I love to think of baby names even though im not expecting
lauren thompson says
my moms maiden name is Howell and i always liked it for any gender name. and the name smith. it’s so common for a last name but what about a first name?
one of my dogs (a girl) is named mason, after an ice cream shop… which is named after the owners last name.
and idk if it would be more of a boys name but Bishop has always stuck out to me.
Addison says
i can’t believe my name is there