100 of the Coolest Last Names to Give Your Book, Movie or Gaming Characters

Picking a last name is tricky, whether you're looking for the coolest last names for characters in a novel, need a unique last name for fantasy, gaming usernames or online role-play scenarios. You don’t want to choose something that sounds fake, but you don’t necessarily want something that’s really common either.

This list of cool last names covers all the bases, including cute and pretty last names for girls, powerful and interesting last names for guys, uncommon and unique last names for fantasy characters and more.

But before you dive in, read up! Knowing these tips for how to choose a cool last name can help you make the perfect first name and surname pairing.

How To Choose a Cool Last Name

Before you scroll through the list of  last name ideas, check out these tips for how to pick a name for your beloved characters:

1. Consider the meaning.

With each name, there is a meaning behind it and by choosing the name with the right meaning, you can give insight into who your character is. Do the legwork to research what a last name means and consider how that applies to your characters. As you do so, you might even explore a new facet of your character's personality.

2. See how it sounds with the first name.

While this tip might seem obvious, it’s worth paying special attention to. How a last name sounds with the first name can often be the deciding factor as to how real the name sounds. And don’t just read them to yourself—say the name out loud a few times and in a few different scenarios, too.

3. Count how many syllables it is.

You find a last name you love, but how many syllables is it? This really does matter, because most last names only have a couple of syllables. The longer it is or the more syllables there are, the more likely it will trip up your reader.

Related: Unique Words

4. Ask yourself what "feeling" the last name creates and if it matches with your character's persona.

You know your characters so well, but your reader is just meeting them for the first time. How their name feels is as important as what it is. Keep this in mind and how you want your reader to feel about a character.

5. Consider its uniqueness.

Depending on the character, you might want a more unique last name. However, a more tertiary character might call for a simpler, more common last name. Take into account how familiar your reader will feel with the name and whether that will distract from your story.

Related: Anime Names

Cool Last Names for Girls

1. Elsher

2. Solace

3. Levine

4. Thatcher

5. Raven

6. Bardot

7. St. James

8. Hansley

9. Cromwell

10. Ashley

11. Monroe

12. West

13. Langley

14. Daughtler

15. Madison

16. Marley

17. Ellis

18. Hope

19. Cassidy

20. Lopez

21. Jenkins

22. Poverly

23. McKenna

24. Gonzales

25. Keller

Cool Last Names for Guys

1. Collymore

2. Stoll

3. Verlice

4. Adler

5. Huxley

6. Ledger

7. Hayes

8. Ford

9. Finnegan

10. Beckett

11. Gatlin

12. Pierce

13. Zimmerman

14. Dawson

15. Wilson

16. Adair

17. Gray

18. Curran

19. Crassus

20. Anderson

21. Adams

22. Carter

23. Hendrix

24. Lennon

25. Gasper

Cool Last Names for Fantasy Characters

1. Mintz

2. Ashbluff

3. Marblemaw

4. Bozzelli

5. Fellowes

6. Windward

7. Yarrow

8. Yearwood

9. Wixx

10. Humblecut

11. Dustfinger

12. Biddercombe

13. Kicklighter

14. Vespertine

15. October

16. Gannon

17. Truthbelly

18. Woodgrip

19. Gorestriker

20. Caskcut

21. Oatrun

22. Sagespark

23. Strongblossom

24. Hydrafist

25. Snakeleaf

Unique Last Names

1. Barlowe

2. Caddel

3. Hart

4. Katz

5. Laurier

6. Madden

7. Elrod

8. Whitlock

9. Ashford

10. Amos

11. Fleet

12. Moses

13. Singh

14. Remington

15. Sharpe

16. Beam

17. Spade

18. Driscoll

19. Undergrove

20. Finch

21. Crawford

22. Finch

23. Cyprus

24. Dagon

25. Lightfoot

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