Thesaurus results for FAMILY NAMES

family names

noun

Definition of family names next

plural of family name

as in surnames

a name shared by members of a family searched for their family name on a popular genealogy website

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 family names However, unlike similar programs, these folks have to stay true to their Southern roots and family names, a difficult feat in today’s modern world. —

Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026 Everyone on both sides of my family has always used family names, which has been really important to me to continue only using family names with my children. —

Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for family names

Noun

The top five American surnames — Smith, Johnson, Williams, Brown and Jones — remained unchanged from 2010 to 2020, but Asian surnames surged to become the fastest-growing in the decade.

— Mike Schneider, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
The best iterations of this event over the past half-century have culminated in victories by global superstars whose surnames are unnecessary.

— Jason Sobel, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026