Surname Generator

Use this surname generator to find last names by origin. Pick an origin and a count. Click Generate Surnames and view your list.

The latest update adds origin filters and a size selector. You can sort by culture and choose how many surnames to see.

What this surname generator does

It picks random surnames from preset lists for each origin. Each run returns distinct names within that run. Click again for a fresh mix.

How to use this tool

1. Open the Origin or Nationality menu.
2. Select All Origins for a mix or pick a specific group.
3. Open the Number of surnames menu.
4. Choose 1 or 5 or 10 or 20.
5. Click Generate Surnames.
6. Review the list under Generated Surnames.

Inputs explained

Origin or Nationality

This menu filters the pool by culture and region. Pick one group or choose a wide mix.

• All Origins gives a wide mix across every list.
• English or British covers common names in the United Kingdom and the United States.
• Spanish or Hispanic covers Spain and Latin America.
• German includes spellings like Mueller or Schaefer.
• French includes names such as Martin or Bernard.
• Italian features names such as Rossi or Russo.
• Irish includes names with O or Mc prefixes.
• Scottish includes many Mac surnames.
• Asian includes Chinese and Japanese and Korean and Vietnamese surnames.
• Slavic covers Russia and Poland and Czechia.
• Scandinavian covers Denmark and Norway and Sweden.
• African includes names from many regions across the continent.
• Arabic or Middle Eastern covers Arabic speaking regions.

Number of surnames to generate

Pick how many surnames appear in one run. Choose 1 or 5 or 10 or 20. Each run lists distinct names.

What the output shows

After you click, you will see a header called Generated Surnames. A clean list appears under that header. Each line shows one surname. Order varies with each run. Counts match your selection when the list size allows it.

Notes and limits

• The tool draws from fixed lists for each origin.
• Lists focus on frequent and widely used surnames.
• The Asian group also includes Vietnamese surnames such as Nguyen and Tran.
• German surnames use Latin spellings for umlaut sounds.
• Some surnames appear in more than one region.
• You receive up to your chosen number based on the pool size.
• Copy the list by highlighting it and pasting to your notes.
• Across runs, the generator can repeat a surname seen before.

Common use cases

• Fiction, short stories, and world building.
• Game character names and quests.
• Screenplays and comics.
• Form testing and mock data in user flows.
• Classroom tasks and writing prompts.
• Brainstorming pen names for side projects.

Tips for better results

• Start with All Origins for range and then narrow by group.
• Pick a culture that fits your character and setting.
• Run the surname generator again for variety.
• Pair surnames with a first name from the same region.
• Check spellings before you publish or print.

Use this surname generator whenever you need quick and clear options. It keeps you moving and saves time on naming work.