surname 1 of 2

noun

ˈsər-ˌnām How to pronounce surname (audio)
Definition of surnamenext
1
as in family name
a name shared by members of a family judging from your surname, I'd guess that your family is Italian

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in nickname
a descriptive or familiar name given instead of or in addition to the one belonging to an individual "da Vinci" was Leonardo's surname but not his family name, Vinci being the town near Florence where the great artist was born

Synonyms & Similar Words

surname

2 of 2

verb

as in to title

Related Words

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 surname
Noun
Shiloh, now 20, filed to change her surname on May 27 of that year, which was also the then-teen’s 18th birthday. — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026 In 2019, his great-nephews Albert and Lawrence Lewitinn (their surnames are spelled differently than the artist’s) inherited about 1,000 of the artist’s works. — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
Another survivor, surnamed Zhu, said they were initially persuaded to carry luxury watches over the border to make some cash. — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 4 Jan. 2026 One user, surnamed Zhao, told CNN that the two apps enabled friends to meet especially in the less cosmopolitan parts of the country where places for gay people to gather are almost non-existent. — Steven Jiang, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for surname
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surname
  1. family name
  2. nickname
  3. title
  4. last name
  5. epithet
  6. name
  7. style
  8. term
Noun
  • The family name remained when The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts took over in 2016.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The Atlanta native is excited to carry his dreams and the family name forward.
    — PJ Green August 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of family name
Noun
  • His daughter Angela West said farming had been part of her father’s life long before Kansas City knew his nickname.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Hig nicknames her The Beast, which seems more of an inner monologue moniker.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of nickname
Verb
  • Most videos across the network were titled with the name of a Democratic politician, followed by an all-caps verb highlighting a negative economic story, a recent scandal, or alleged corruption.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Working titled Jaq, the show will shoot next year and is part of a wider expansion of the Top Boy universe, with Barry Keoghan returning as Irish mobster Jonny McGee in prequel Jonny Boy.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of title
Noun
  • Renée and Becca Good started their relationship that year, and, according to public records, Renée took Becca’s last name in the fall.
    — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The acquaintance shared the same last name as the incumbent and received 6,000 votes despite not campaigning.
    — Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of last name
Noun
  • The raid drew criticism over separating families, and a group of Idahoans sued, saying officers hurled racial epithets and largely withheld water, food, bathrooms and medical care.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Hochman detailed a number of prosecutions, including the sentence of one man to a life sentence plus seven years with the possibility of parole for a March 23 attack, during which racial epithets were uttered.
    — City News Service, Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of epithet
Verb
  • Anna, for her part, names Jude and Naheim; and Jude himself names Anna and Naheim.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • While most of the vandals ripping down automatic license plate readers prefer to go incognito, an Albuquerque character named Jevon Martinez isn’t afraid to show his face.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of name
Verb
  • The sulfate-free shampoo starts with a satisfying trio of sea buckthorn, coconut oil, and water lily extract that nourish from scalp-to-ends, helping to restore shine and make hair easier to style.
    — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Installations around the store showcased the striking campaign as shot by Alasdair McLellan, styled by Katy England, and art directed by Jamie Reid.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of style
Verb
  • Carrington in particular models what some have termed an ecofeminist approach, one that does not appropriate animals for the artist’s own self-revelation but instead develops kinship across species.
    — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • This is the second time this summer that Newsom, who is termed out of office, has traveled to other states.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of term

Browse Nearby Words

surmounts
surname
surnamed
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Cite this Entry

“Surname.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surname. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on surname

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about surname

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