last name

noun

Definition of last namenext
as in surname
a name shared by members of a family please write your first name, middle initial, and last name at the top of the form

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of last name His last name also pays homage to Redd Foxx, a late comedian and actor. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 4 Oct. 2026 The Trib is also withholding Rebekah’s last name to protect the family’s privacy. — Kate Payne, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026 None of them have a relationship with the actor, and all have chosen to drop their father’s last name—a decision that some of them have formalized in California courts. — Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026 Desperately hoping Jeff Probst starts addressing you by your last name? — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for last name
Recent Examples of Synonyms for last name
  1. surname
  2. family name
Noun
  • Like other Tigrayans quoted in this story, he is being referred to only by his surname for fear of retaliation by armed groups.
    — Siyanne Mekonnen, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Even his surname sounded like a nickname dreamed up by Seth Rogen or Judd Apatow.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of surname
Noun
  • There is a lot of Dutton history that plays into this premiere, with Kayce seeing the repercussions of Tate being in harm’s way because of the family name and land.
    — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Bolsonaro, 45, is competing in his first and seeking to return his family name to power after his father governed Brazil from 2019 through 2022.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of family name

Browse Nearby Words

last minutes
last name
last names
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Last name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/last%20name. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on last name

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about last name

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All