A Cool Last Names List for Character Creation

Hundreds of Unique and Distinctive Last Names for Your Cool Characters

Choosing a cool last name for a character you've made can make them a lot more relatable in the eyes of your audience. While picking out a name is only one aspect of fleshing out your creation, it's one that will last for the life of the character. Pairing a popular last name with a good first name is one way to go, but I've always liked to focus on every aspect of the name to make it stand apart from the norm and add more depth to your character's family history.

Creating good characters for your world is so important to its success. My aim for the list of last name ideas below is that it will be a useful starting off point for you. Hopefully, it will help you choose the perfect last name that—when paired with a good first name—will turn your character into an unforgettable person of interest. I have gone through (and am constantly going through) a lot of last names to find those that are cooler than all the rest, so check back every once in a while if you need some suggestions.

Last Names From Around the World

Just scroll on down to find some of the best last name ideas that the world has to offer. You'll find last names for adventure heroes, magicians, horror characters, superheroes, mystery characters and more. Thanks for giving this article a chance, and best of luck writing that next iconic character for your story.

Character Last Names That Are Cool as Hell

I don't know about you, but I'm not a huge fan of lists in alphabetical order when I'm doing research. To me, it just doesn't let the mind wonder like it should to inspire creativity. That's why I've created this initial "jumbled mess" of character last names for those people who feel the same way I do.

The A–Z List of Cool and Trendy Last Names

For those who don't like the chaos of a jumbled list, don't worry, I've got you. Below you'll find a bunch of last name ideas in alphabetical order! So if you looking for last names starting with A, last names starting with R or even last names starting with Z... you'll find them.

A

B

How to Choose a Cool Last Name

• A lot of times, a last name can be used as a first name and vice versa.
• A noun or adjective can make for an interesting surname that tells the reader a bit about your character. They can also be used ironically, like "Quick" as the last name of a lazy character.
• A surname is a name added to your given name and is usually the family name (or last name). Don't get this confused with a nickname.
• Coming up with a good first or last name will make your character interesting and memorable. However, coming up with a good first and last name will make them unforgettable.
• Using names where the first and last both begin with the same letter will give you a cutesy name (or at the very least a catchy one).
• A character doesn't have to go by their first name. If you have a good one, they can be called by their last name all the time. Plus, you'll have a secret you can reveal at a later date if you wish.
• Feel free to make the name hard to pronounce on purpose (and have other characters constantly mispronounce the name). This can introduce a comedic element into your story that can break up serious conversations. Sometimes, the coolest last names are the hardest to pronounce.

C

D

E

F

Tips for Coming Up With Good Last Names

• Really unique last names will take time; I rarely come up with a top-notch character name before a few hours have passed.
• For a fancy-sounding last name, aim for several syllables to create a grand feel. This can help give your character an old-world feel that really elevates them. It's up to you to decide if you want to give them a similar personality.
• Some names can sound a lot more intimidating than others. The character's personality and demeanor can add to or take away from the name depending on how you want others to see them.
• There are times when you may want to hide a name from the audience. Using quiet whispers, background noise, interruptions, or a smudged name on some papers are a few ways you can do this.
• Plain last names can be used when you want to portray an obvious alias or a made-up name—one in which your character doesn't want his or her real name to be known.
• Never be afraid to use your character's traits to come up with an ancestral name. For example, say your hero is a very strong and successful arm wrestler. "Strong Arm" is the first thing that comes to mind, but reverse the order of the words and you get a very cool last name: Armstrong.

G

Common Last Names From Around the World

H