last name

See also: last-name

English

Pronunciation

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Noun

last name (plural last names)

1. Synonym of surname, a person's family name.
2. The last element of a full name, particularly when it could also be given name in East Asian and other cultural traditions.
   • In a structure typical for East Asia cultures, last names are usually used as given names. It usually differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a family or clan) who have a common family name

Usage notes

Both surname and last name are extremely common terms for family names in all dialects of English. The former is somewhat more common in the UK and the latter in the US. Because of the cultural or gendered associations involved, however, it is increasingly common to prefer family name or surname in multicultural or official contexts.

Derived terms

• last-name (verb)

Anagrams

• altnames, slametan, talesman