300+ Creative Last Names for Characters & Real People

Choosing a last name for your character may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! You know your character better than anyone else, so go with your gut and pick a surname that speaks to their personality. We compiled a list of our favorite last names for all types of characters to help you out. So, what are you waiting for? Scroll through this article to find a name that matches your character.

Unique Last Names for Characters

Whimsical: Ashely
Moody: Grayson
Cute: Quinn
Pretty: Nightingale
Mysterious: Cromwell
Dark: Mortis

Section 1 of 8:

Cool Last Names for Girls

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These surnames are as cute as a button, making them ideal for female characters. Opt for a last name that’s as beautiful, whimsical, and darling as your leading lady!
- Ainsley
- Ashely
- Avery
- Bardot
- Blair
- Blake
- Bennett
- Cassidy
- Cromwell
- Daughtler
- Ellis
- Elsher
- Emerson
- Everly
- Finley
- Gonzales
- Hanslet
- Harlow
- Harper
- Hayes
- Holland
- Hope
- Jameson
- Jenkins
- Jennings
- Keller
- Kensington
- Lane
- Langley
- Levine
- Lopez
- Madison
- Marley
- McKenna
- Monroe
- Parker
- Poverly
- Presley
- Raven
- Reese
- Sloane
- Solace
- St. James
- Thatcher
- West
- Whitney

Section 2 of 8:

Cool Last Names for Guys

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These last names have a manly undertone that’s great for male characters. Target the surname to match the overall tone of your guy character, whether he’s buff, brooding, or bashful.
- Abraham
- Adair
- Adams
- Adler
- Anderson
- Ashford
- Beckett
- Benjamin
- Bennett
- Blain
- Carter
- Cole
- Collymore
- Crassus
- Curran
- Dawson
- Finnegan
- Fletcher
- Frederick
- Ford
- Gasper
- Gatlin
- Gray
- Grayson
- Hale
- Harrison
- Hayes
- Hendrix
- Hunter
- Huxley
- Kingston
- Knight
- Langston
- Ledger
- Lennon
- Logan
- Maverick
- Maxwell
- Pierce
- Reed
- Rivers
- Ryder
- Sawyer
- Stoll
- Stone
- Thatcher
- Verlice
- Wells
- Weston
- Whitlock
- Wilson
- Zimmerman

Section 3 of 8:

Cool Last Names for Fantasy Characters

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These surnames have a magical essence to them that’s perfect for fantastical characters. Use your imagination and combine phrases and words to create otherworldly names such as these:
- Ashbluff
- Biddercombe
- Bozzelli
- Callisto
- Caskcut
- Cyprus
- Dagon
- Damaris
- Darkbane
- Dragonsbane
- Dustfinger
- Etherwind
- Fellowes
- Festus
- Firebrand
- Firesworn
- Gannon
- Goldfeather
- Gorestriker
- Griffin
- Humblecut
- Hydrafist
- Ironclaw
- Ironfist
- Kicklighter
- Lightfoot
- Lightweaver
- Lux
- Marblemaw
- Mintz
- Moonshadow
- Nightshade
- Nightwing
- Oatrun
- October
- Quantum
- Ravencrest
- Sagespark
- Shadowmere
- Silverthorn
- Silverwolf
- Snakeleaf
- Starborn
- Starfire
- Stormborn
- Stormrider
- Strongblossom
- Sunblade
- Thornheart
- Thunderstrike
- Truthbelly
- Vespertine
- Whisperwind
- Whitlock
- Windwalker
- Windward
- Wix
- Woodgrip
- Yarrow
- Yearwood
- Zen

Section 4 of 8:

Cool Last Names for Evil Characters

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These last names are edgy and spunky, making them perfect for villainous characters. Give one of these surnames to a character that will cause chaos, cast an evil curse, or perform a wicked deed:
- Aragon
- Ashcroft
- Bane
- Bates
- Blackwell
- Blackwood
- Bloodworth
- Bundy
- Coffin
- Crane
- Crimson
- Crook
- Crow
- Cruor
- Damon
- Darkling
- Darkmore
- Devlin
- De Vil
- Dreadmore
- Edge
- Fell
- Grimm
- Hallow
- Igor
- Judas
- Malice
- Morgrave
- Morgenrot
- Mortis
- Nadir
- Nocturne
- Ravenwood
- Sable
- Savage
- Shade
- Sinclair
- Slaughter
- Strife
- Strode
- Torrence
- Vader
- Vandark
- Viper
- Venom
- Von Doom
- Vesper
- Weylin
- Wolfe

Section 5 of 8:

Unique Last Names

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These exceptionally rare and uncommon last names are ideal for characters with unique personalities. They aren’t as commonly seen in the real world, making them perfect for fictional characters!
- Ambrose
- Amos
- Ashford
- Banks
- Barlowe
- Beam
- Blaze
- Caddel
- Cobalt
- Cyprus
- Dagon
- Elrod
- Emberly
- Fable
- Fleet
- Harkin
- Hart
- Indigo
- Ion
- Katz
- Laurier
- Madden
- Moses
- Onyx
- Quill
- Sharpe
- Singh
- Solstice
- Spade
- Staling
- Stallard
- Stoker
- Thorne
- Vale
- Wren
- Zephyr

Section 6 of 8:

Cute Last Names

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These last names are oh-so-adorable! Use one of these surnames for a character that’s simply cute as a button, or fool your readers by giving it to a villain:
- Baudelaire
- Birdie
- Callaway
- Darlington
- Dash
- Divine
- Duke
- Fleet
- Flora
- Flowers
- Fox
- Francis
- Frost
- Furi
- Hart
- Katz
- LaBelle
- Lovelace
- Loving
- Luna
- Luz
- Nightingale
- Pepperday
- Priestley
- Quinn
- Robin
- Rose
- Rosewood
- Rossi
- Sai
- Seraphin
- Sharp
- Sierra
- Sprinkles
- Sterling
- Summerfield
- Sunshine
- Valentine
- Violet
- Zibia

Section 7 of 8:

Mysterious Last Names

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These surnames are dripping with intrigue and will certainly make readers go, “Hmm.” Keep your readers questioning with these mysterious yet inciting last names:
- Abernathy
- Carpenter
- Churchill
- Cornelius
- Crawford
- Cromwell
- Crowley
- Cunningham
- Danvers
- Davenport
- Driscoll
- Ellis
- Finch
- Galloway
- Hatchett
- Heller
- Locke
- Lurch
- Manson
- Menken
- Ninomae
- Prescott
- Remington
- Riddle
- Scarborough
- Simmons
- Undergrove
- Vandenberg
- Webb
- Wilkes

Section 8 of 8:

How to Choose a Cool Last Name

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1
Think about the name’s meaning. While the meaning of a name isn’t always important, it could help you learn more about your character or be a fun Easter egg for readers to find. So, do a bit of research on the name you like before you choose it. Who knows? It may mean something that matches your character perfectly! ^{[1]
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- For example, say you like the last name “Barron,” which loosely translates to “young warrior” in Hebrew.
2
Pair the first and last names together. Before you decide on a surname , see how it sounds when paired with the character’s first name. Speak the full name out loud—do you like how it rolls off the tongue? ^{[2]
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- If you don’t like how the first and last names pair together, play around with different names or pronunciations. It’s okay to change up a name if you don’t like it!
3
Consider the overall vibe of the name. When you see or speak your character’s name, how does it make you feel? The overall tone of a name is typically a first impression for readers, so ensure the name conveys the character in the way you’d like. ^{[3]
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- Choose a name that reflects the character’s background, social class, ethnicity, and personality. ^{[4]
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- Make sure the name fits the setting and time period of the story.
4
Opt for uniqueness. When in doubt, always go for an uncommon or rare name. There are thousands upon thousands of names and characters out there, so opt for something special readers likely haven’t heard before. ^{[5]
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- Be careful with this, as there’s a fine line between unique and bizarre. Make sure your character’s name is true to the character and the overall tone of your story.
At the end of the day, what you choose as your character’s last name is entirely up to you—so have fun with it! Gather inspiration from your character’s backstory, real-world surroundings, or favorite things. Play around with the spelling and combination of words to find the perfect surname.

Family Name Analyzer

Find out what your last name reveals about you...
Wondering how unique your last name is? Input your family name, and we'll give you a personalized breakdown—how rare it is, when it peaked in popularity, where it comes from, what it means, and what it might reveal about you.
- What your name says about you: You likely carry yourself with quiet confidence and a strong sense of direction. People may see you as someone who values loyalty, tradition, and forging your own path with purpose.
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