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
Many common surnames, such as Carpenter or Baker, originated from occupations passed down through generations, reflecting how closely people’s identities were tied to their work. — Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Rosa, a mother of three who asked CNN to not use her surname, said her 48-year-old husband travelled to Russia with several other Peruvian men, hoping to obtain jobs as security guards. — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 28 June 2026
Verb
The individual, surnamed Yang, declined to share his first name due to concerns about speaking with foreign media. — Eunice Yoon,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 20 Sep. 2024 An employee surnamed Lin who answered the phone at Gold Apollo but declined to provide her full name or title said the company did not directly fill the pager order from Hezbollah, and that BAC handles the vast majority of device sales from Middle Eastern customers. — Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024 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
  • After his kick found the net, Bajraktarević tore off his jersey and held up the back of it, with his family name across the top, to the fans and cameras.
    — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 1 July 2026
  • Here, Malvasia is not a single grape but a Madeira family name associated with varieties such as Malvasia Cândida, Malvasia Cândida Roxa, and Malvasia de São Jorge.
    — Layne Randolph, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Definition of family name
Noun
  • Few figures are as synonymous with Mexican football as Aguirre, now in his third stint coaching the national team after being in charge for the 2002 and 2010 World Cups, but this co-exists with his El Vasco nickname.
    — Colin Millar, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • The law, passed in 2024, prohibits K-12 public schools from using any derogatory Native American term for athletic team mascots, names or nicknames.
    — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of nickname
Verb
  • In support of the album, Swift planned to embark on a worldwide festival titled Lover Fest in 2020, however, it was officially canceled in February 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    — Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
  • Despite being titled Housewives, the series was not originally produced by Bravo.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 1 July 2026
Definition of title
Noun
  • As expected, Carly didn’t take the bait, reproaching Z for referring to her daughter by her last name, spy style.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 July 2026
  • But one question many people are asking is whether Swift will take Kelce’s last name.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 6 July 2026
Definition of last name
Noun
  • Since construction at the Eagle Rock site — so nicknamed after a decrepit colonnade — first stalled in 2008, the only thing that accumulated faster than the garbage and graffiti were the epithets from outraged community members.
    — Ryan Steven Green, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
  • The epithet is not a concession (the database of Trumpian apologies has yet to receive any inputs).
    — Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
Definition of epithet
Verb
  • During Thursday evening’s Board of Commissioners meeting, officials unanimously, and with no additional discussion, approved Johnston’s exit agreement and named Assistant County Administrator Alan Howze as his replacement for the rest of the year.
    — Sofi Zeman July 2, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
  • Knoebels was named America’s best amusement and water park for 2026 in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards, which is based on reviews.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of name
Verb
  • This relaxed pick is incredibly soft, really cute, and surprisingly easy to style.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 3 July 2026
  • Eighteenth-century desserts were intricately decorated and styled to leave an impression.
    — Brooke Barbier, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of style
Verb
  • The winner will replace Assemblymember Tom Lackey, R-Palmdale, who is termed out.
    — Linh Tat, Daily News, 27 June 2026
  • The latter are often associated with what might be termed the silovaya ideologiya—a security-state ideology that emphasises a strong state, the primacy of state interests over private interests, great-power status, and strict domestic order.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 18 June 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 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on surname

Nglish: Translation of surname for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about surname

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