Random name generator Last names only
A surname that fits the place
Sometimes the first name is settled and only the family name is missing: the hero is called Maya, but Maya what? This page draws surnames alone. It starts with the United States, where the Census Bureau counted the family names of the whole population, and you can switch to four other countries under Options.
Each country follows its own custom. A Spanish surname comes as a pair, usually the father's and then the mother's, like Fernández Ortiz. Polish surnames come in the women's or the men's form, so turn on Girl to get Nowakowska instead of Nowakowski.
Popular keeps to the names everybody knows, such as Smith, Martin, Nowak or García. Less common reaches further down the list for surnames that are real but rarer, the kind that make a character easier to remember.
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Getting a random last name
- Press Generate a surname for one, or set How many to 20 for a list.
- Choose the country under Options, or All countries to mix them; the label under each surname then says where it is from.
- Press Copy to take the surnames to a document or a spreadsheet.
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Questions about random last names
Where do the surnames come from?
From official statistics, a different source for each country: the Census for the United States, the national statistics office or the population register elsewhere. The source of the country you pick is shown under Options.
Why do Spanish surnames come in pairs?
Because in Spain almost everybody carries two: usually the first surname of the father, then the first surname of the mother. A single García would look unfinished there.
Can I add a first name later?
Yes. Switch Name to Full name under Options and every draw gives a first name with the surname, from the same country.
Will I get the same surname twice?
Not while No repeats is on: a surname that came up stays out until you press Start over. Turn it off if you do not mind repeats.
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Other ready-made name generators
- American namesFirst names from US birth records, surnames from the Census.
- British namesFirst names from the baby name statistics of England and Wales.
- Random girl namesReal girls' first names from US birth records
- Random boy namesReal boys' first names from US birth records
- Random baby namesBoys' and girls' names from US birth records, to start a shortlist
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