190+ Unique Last Names And Meanings For Your Characters

Whether it’s a fiction novel, a film, comic strip or a game, interesting last names always give the hero, villain, witch, or sage an undeniable and unique personality.

The last name also helps to set the mood and convey the period and place that your characters belong to. You surely want your characters to have uncommon last names that sound good, match the genre, and are significantly related to the place where your character comes from.

Have you ever wondered why surnames are important? It all began as a process of identifying people and distinguishing one family from the other. Gradually surnames became a way to recognize people’s profession and became hereditary.

Good last names are not always the most common ones. It’s a fun process to select last names that match or are completely different to the name meaning of the character.

Smith, Jones, Davis and Garcia may sound familiar and easy to use but they don’t stand out from a crows like some surnames such as Allaband, Bombardo and Carpienello do.

A handy list of last names that go well with any first names unquestionably is a big help. However, unique last name trends change drastically over time so it can be hard to find the perfect one.

Here is a list of names that are cool, can go with your characters from the past, present, or the future and make them stand out.

If you find this article helpful or interesting you may also want to read this article all about the best noble last names or these last names meaning wolf, right here on Kidadl.

The Rarest Last Names

Uncommon surnames grab immediate attention. Characters with a cool first name clubbed with unusual surnames that are rarely heard become more mysterious and interesting. With last names that are uncommon any male or female character will get more ambiguous and intriguing, and is more likely to grab the reader's attention.

1. Acker (old English origin) meaning "field”.

2. Agnello (Italian origin) meaning “lamb”. One of the cool last names.

3. Alinsky (Russian origin), a truly unique surname to find.

4. Aphelion (Greek origin) meaning “point of the orbit at the greatest distance from the sun”.

5. Bartley (English origin) meaning “clearing in woodland”.

6. Bixby (English origin) a surname indicating someone living in Bigby, Lincolnshire.

7. Bobusic (Medieval Italy) meaning “battle”.

8. Bonneville (French origin) meaning "good settlement”.

9. Botkin (English origin) meaning “someone who sells weapons”.

10. Brager (Norwegian origin) meaning “thundering or roaring”.

11. Brubaker (German origin) meaning “someone living close to a brook”.

12. Burris (Anglo Saxon origin) meaning “hill”.

13. Butterworth (Anglo-Saxon origin) meaning “home of butter”.

14. Caiazzo (Italian origin) meaning “from Caiazzo, Italy”.

15. Chalut (Latin origin) meaning “beyond”.

16. Clegg (English origin) meaning “haystack”.

17. Coffey (Gaelic origin) meaning “victorious”.

18. Copeland (old Norse) meaning “a land that is bought”.

19. Crespo (Latin origin) meaning “someone with curls”.

20. Croce (Italian origin) meaning “cross”.

21. Dempsey (Irish origin) meaning “proud”.

22. Ditka (Czech origin) meaning “important in war”.

23. Drewitt (German origin) “phantom or ghost”.

24. Hutton (English origin) meaning “settlement”.

25. Kellett (Anglo-Saxon origin) meaning “a slope with a spring”.

26. Lawless (English origin) meaning “outlaw”. A cool surname for a villain character.

27. Merrick (English origin) meaning “fame rule”.

28. Morais (Portuguese origin) meaning “mulberry trees”.

29. Nuttal (English origin) meaning “nut nook” related to a particular area.

30. Ogden (English origin) meaning “oak valley”.

31. Sutcliffe (English origin) meaning “south of a cliff”.

32. Tobin (Irish origin) related to people who originated from Aubyn in France.

Rare Last Names From History

Not only do living species and traditions sometimes become extinct but last names can get wiped out too. These unusual surnames which are no longer in use can be gripping surnames for fictional characters.

It is difficult to point out the rarest last name in the world but these last names are surely among them.

For your characters, uncommon names for girls like Camari paired with a rare surname like Rummage or Woodbead would sound really cool! Some of these surnames are also related to places where people originate from.

33. Ajax (Greek origin) meaning “strong and courageous”.

34. Berrycloth (Anglo-Saxon origin) meaning “grove usually indicating people who resided in Barrowclough”.

35. Birdwhistle (English origin) meaning “a place where birds nest”.

36. Bread (English origin) meaning “good grazing”.

37. Bythesea (English origin) meaning “living near the seashore”.

38. Dankworth (English origin) meaning “from farmstead”.

39. Edevane (Welsh origin) meaning “protector of prosperity”.

40. Fensby (English origin) meaning “dweller of ferns”.

41. Gastrell (English origin) a last name related to William Shakespeare’s home.

42. Loughty (Irish origin) meaning “living near a lake”.

43. MacQuoid (Scottish origin) meaning “son of flames”.

44. Miracle (Welsh origin) last name derived from a word meaning "dark".

45. Pussmaid (English origin) last name meaning “a little girl”.

46. Relish (old French) meaning ‘taste”.

47. Sallow (English origin) meaning ‘willow”.

48. Slora (Scottish origin) last name meaning “leader”.

49. Spinster (English origin) meaning “to spin thread”.

50. Villin (old English) meaning “commoner”.

Unique Last Names With Super Cool Meanings

Sci-fi character name ideas need not always be alien, but cool names sure do add a dynamic feature to every character. There are loads of unique Irish surnames, Welsh last names, strong last names and cool surnames that have cool meanings that are not related to a certain trade or place of origin.

It’s exciting to add unique surnames with a cool meaning to first names that are equally versatile. Take your pick from this list of unique last names that are cool!

51. Abreo (Jewish origin) last name meaning “a wide counselor”.

52. Agnor (old Norse) meaning “fishhook”.

53. Alvin (old English) one of the more unusual last names meaning “elf friend”.

54. Auclair (French origin) meaning “clear”. Can also be one of the cool names for girls.

55. Anouilh (French origin) among the French last names meaning “a slow worm”.

56. Bain (French origin) meaning “bath”.

57. Barrere (French origin) meaning “obstruction”.

58. Bassett (French origin) meaning “low”.

59. Beauregard (French origin) meaning “fine outlook”.

60. Brassard (Old French origin) meaning “someone who makes arms”.

61. Brierman (German origin) meaning “beer drinker”.

62. Cellier (French origin) meaning “storeroom”.

63. Dardar (German origin) meaning “someone brave and strong in battle”.

64. De la Croix (French origin) meaning “belongs to the cross”.

65. Ebersol (German origin) meaning “wild boar”.

66. Ekker (German origin) meaning “corner”.

67. Escoffier (French origin) meaning “to dress up”.

68. Etter (German origin) meaning “inside the boundary”.

69. Fawzi (Turkish origin) meaning “triumph”.

70. Fisk (Scandinavian origin) meaning “the fish”.

71. Flammia (Roman origin) meaning “red flame”.

72. Floquet (French origin) one of the rare last names.

73. Fonua (Tongan origin) meaning “quarrel”.

74. Fukushima (Japanese origin) meaning “fortune island”.

75. Furyk (Ukraine) one of the rare last or first names for your character.

76. Freed (Jewish origin) meaning “dweller of barren fields”.

77. Fontana (Latin origin) meaning “living close to a spring”.

78. Gaumond (German origin) meaning “death in a battle”.

79. Hanlon (Irish origin) meaning “beheaded in the war”.

80. Houde (French origin) meaning “wealth”.

81. Hubert (German origin) meaning “heart”.

82. Jessup (Anglo-Hebrew origin) related to the name Joseph.

83. Joubert (French origin) meaning “famous”.

84. Lafitte (French origin) meaning “a stone that’s fixed”.

85. Machal (German origin) meaning “a horse keeper”.

86. Mangiarotti (Italian origin) meaning “rat eater”.

87. Ozanne ( Hebrew origin) meaning “save now”.

88. Palomer (Latin origin) meaning “a pigeon keeper”.

89. Paquet (French origin) meaning “firewood seller”.

90. Prevost (French origin) meaning “a chief”.

91. Tasse (French origin) meaning “purse”.

92. Varville (French origin) meaning “towards town”.

Unique Strong Last Names

Forget about cute last names, strong last names can actually add strength to the personality of a character. Strong meanings can be a wonderful way to show the best qualities and characteristics of your characters.

These strong and unique last names go well with strong first names. You can choose the most appropriate from this list of cool last names for your characters.

93. Bardot (French origin) meaning “a noble surname”.

94. Bellamy (Norman origin) meaning “handsome or fair”.

95. Blaine (Irish origin) meaning “slender”.

96. Cassidy (Irish origin) meaning “curly hair”.

97. Caparasso (Italian origin) meaning “shaved head”.

98. Channing (English origin) meaning “young wolf”.

99. Cienfuegos (Spanish origin) meaning “hundred flies”.

100. Dracula (Transylvanian origin) meaning “Dracul’s son”.

101. Escarra (Spanish origin) meaning “left-handed”.

102. Falaguerra (Italian origin) meaning “make war”.

103. Gow (Celtic origin) meaning “who works with metal”.

104. Gushiken (Japanese origin) meaning “strong willed person”.

105. Heroux (German origin) meaning “wolf”.

106. Homa (Gaelic origin) meaning “active”.

107. Igarashi (Japanese origin) meaning “fifty storms”.

108. Ingannamorte (Italian origin) meaning “cheating death”.

109. Jurado (Latin origin) meaning “to swear”.

110. La Cour (French origin) meaning “working in the court”.

111. Lenoir (French origin) meaning “dark”.

112. Madigan (Irish origin) “meaning little dog”.

113. Malfatto (Italian origin) meaning “doer of evil”.

114. Martel (French origin) meaning “hammer”.

115. Methadonna (Italian origin) meaning “old lady”.

116. Pelagatti (Italian origin) meaning “skins cats”.

117. Proulx (old French origin) meaning “brave”.

118. Rossingol (old French origin) meaning “nightingale”.

119. Seisdedos (Spanish origin) meaning “six fingers”.

120. Varon (old German origin) meaning “protection”.

121. Voland (French origin) meaning “agile or flying”.

122. Webster (French origin) meaning “a weaver”.

123. Villalobos (Spanish origin) meaning “town of wolves”.

Unique Fictional Last Names

Some fantasy surnames can be the coolest last names for any character for a book or a game. Certain plots may demand names for girls, an Irish last name, or French surnames that sound sharp and sweet. Afify, Hoig, Chorro, Kronbach, Mccallops and Kutska are some cool last names for any fictional characters, find more in this list!

124. Aaberg (Scandinavian origin) meaning “hill near the river”.

125. Adair (English origin) meaning “a shallow place” used in 'Search For Tomorrow'.

126. Backus (English origin) meaning “bakehouse”.

127. Barrel (English origin) meaning “nozzle of a gun”.

128. Boone (Old French) meaning “good”.

129. Cacho (Portuguese origin) meaning “thick neck”.

130. Dalloway (English origin) meaning “dweller of the valley”.

131. Deluca (Greek origin) meaning “son of Luca”.

132. Deronda (Hebrew origin) meaning “God is my judge”.

133. Elrod (Hebrew origin) meaning “God is King”.

134. Frollo (French origin)  supporter of King Claudius from 'Hamlet'.

135. Gamgee (English origin) a character from middle earth.

136. Joad, from the novel' The Grapes Of Wrath'.

137. Omega (Greek origin) meaning “the end”.

138. Whitelock (English origin) meaning “fair haired”.

Wonderful And Weird Surnames That Make Unique Last Names

Some of the weirdest surnames are also unique last names that can match a first name that’s rare and unheard of. With names of girls for sleazy characters, weird last names like Bellagamba may fit well. These cool last names sound fun and are also a wonderful way to add a dash of humor to your creations.

139. Bellagamba (Italian surname) meaning “beautiful legs”.

140. Biggerstaff (English origin) meaning “combination of beekeeper and area of landing”.

141. Clampitt (English origin) meaning “mud pit”.

142. Clutterbuck (English origin) meaning “someone originating from Cloerterbook, Flanders".

143. Greedy (English origin) derived from the Irish surname Gready.

144. Hartshorn (English origin) meaning “staghorn”.

145. Fumagalli (Italian origin) meaning “smoked poultry”.

146. Nutter (English origin) a combination of two words that mean "clerk" and "ox".

147. Onions (English origin) a surname given to people who grew onions.

148. Pappalardo (Italian origin) meaning “someone who eats lard”.

149. Popplewell (English origin) meaning “bubble spring”.

150. Rymer (Old English origin) meaning “someone making rims”.

151. Scrapetrough (Viking origin) a cool surname for your character.

152. Shellaberger (German origin) meaning “who lives in bell mountain”.

153. Shufflebottom (old English) meaning “the valley where sheep are washed”.

154. Swetinbedde (English origin) a truly weird medieval surname.

155. Walker (English origin) meaning “who works”.

Last Names That Sound Cool

Dragonslayer, Levy, Diamond and Perfect are some cool surnames that can be just right for someone strong and fearless. Whilst they may not all be as rare as other names on this list, this list of last names sound smart and sharp, the right fit for a superhero or a shady character who champions evil.

156. Alston (old English) meaning “elf stone”.

157. Bailey (old French origin) meaning attendant.

158. Bell (French origin) meaning “beautiful”.

159. Calvary (Hebrew origin) meaning “purest form of love”.

160. Cohen (Jewish origin) meaning “Priest”.

161. Collymore (old English origin) meaning “clear lake”.

162. Donna (Italian origin) meaning “my lady”.

163. Dwyer (Irish Gaelic) meaning “dark-colored”.

164. Erny (French origin) meaning “vigorous”.

165. Felix (Spanish origin) meaning “lucky”.

166. Faughn (Gaelic origin) meaning “falcon”.

167. Garguilo (Italian origin) meaning “open jaw”.

168. Gilbert (Germanic origin) meaning “famous”.

169. Huxley (English origin) meaning ‘cleaning wood”.

170. Ives (old French) meaning “archer’s bow”.

171. Kirton (old English origin) meaning “church settlement”.

172. Kade (German origin) meaning “fat”.

173. Levine (Russian origin) meaning “lion”.

174. Ledger (German origin) meaning “people with a spear”.

175. Li (Chinese origin) meaning “plum tree”.

176. Melgren (Swedish origin) meaning “middle branch”.

177. Morozov (Russian origin) meaning “frost”.

178. Nash (English origin) meaning “close to the ash tree”.

179. Panchak (Indian origin) meaning “a group of five”.

180. Snearl (English origin) a cool last name for your character.

181. Starr (English origin) meaning “star”.

182. Stolley (German origin) meaning “a loose garment or stoll”.

183. Tahaan (Arabic origin) meaning “merciful”.

184. Tartal (old English origin) derived from "turtle dove".

185. Tuffin (Greek origin) meaning “appearance of God”.

186. Usoro (African origin) meaning “celebration”.

187. Westbrook (English origin) meaning “west of the brook”.

188. Wallace (French origin) meaning “Welshman”.

189. Wiley (Irish origin) meaning “determined protector”.

190. Yang (South Asian origin) meaning “aspen tree”.

191. Zimmerman (German origin) meaning “carpenter”.

Kidadl has lots of great names articles to inspire you. If you liked our suggestions for unique last names then why not take a look at something different like these uncommon German last names with meanings or these nature inspired names meaning earth?

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