100 Unique Short Last Names Collection

Short last names pack a punch; they’re sharp, easy to recall, and often carry ages of history in just a few characters.

You might like their straightforward nature, their up-to-date feel, or how easy they are to say.

Short family names can express a lot without saying much. In this article, we’ll look at a range of quick yet striking surnames from various backgrounds—each with its own special tale and significance.

If you’re picking a name for a story character, looking into your family’s past, or just interested, these compact surnames may be short in length, but they’re full of identity.

Short Last Names

Li (Chinese) – Means “plum”; one of the most common surnames in China.

Kim (Korean) – Means “gold” or “metal”; associated with royalty and nobility.

Ono (Japanese) – Means “small field”; a common toponymic surname.

Ng (Chinese) – A Cantonese surname meaning “five” or “enlightenment,” depending on the character.

Zhu (Chinese) – Means “bamboo”; symbolizes resilience and grace.

Ko (Korean) – Means “high” or “lofty”; used by ancient Korean clans.

Ash (English) – Refers to someone living near an ash tree.

Fox (English) – From the animal; sometimes used as a nickname for someone cunning.

Lee (English) – Derived from Old English “lēah,” meaning “meadow” or “clearing.”

Roe (English) – Refers to a roe deer; also used for someone small and agile.

Cho (Korean) – Means “butterfly” or “handsome,” depending on the hanja used.

Kay (English) – Derived from the Old Welsh name “Cai,” meaning “rejoice.”

Orr (Scottish) – Means “shore” or “edge”; of geographical origin.

Yu (Chinese) – Can mean “jade,” “rain,” or “universe,” based on the character.

Day (English) – Originally meant “David’s son” or referred to someone active or cheerful.

Ray (French/English) – Means “wise protector” or “beam of light.”

Poe (English) – Derived from “poe,” meaning “peacock”; sometimes given to flamboyant individuals.

May (English) – Originally a nickname for someone born in May.

Shu (Chinese) – Means “calm,” “modest,” or “kind,” depending on the character.

Yeo (Korean) – Means “mild” or “graceful”; a traditional surname.

Koi (Japanese) – Refers to the carp fish, symbolizing perseverance.

Tan (Chinese) – A Hokkien and Teochew surname meaning “altar” or “platform.”

Bae (Korean) – Means “inspiration” or “pear”; an ancient surname of prestige.

Ngô (Vietnamese) – Derived from a Chinese surname meaning “high” or “lofty.”

Nix (English) – A diminutive of “Nicholas,” meaning “victory of the people.”

Sun (Chinese) – Means “grandchild” or “descendant.”

Gee (English/Chinese) – In English, a variation of “Guy”; in Chinese, it can mean “righteous.”

Jin (Chinese/Korean) – Means “gold”; widely used in both cultures.

He (Chinese) – Can mean “harmony” or “river,” depending on the character.

Mak (Chinese) – A Cantonese surname that may mean “horse” or “wheat.”

Ort (German) – Means “place” or “location”; likely occupational or geographic.

Tai (Chinese) – Means “peaceful,” “great,” or “extreme,” depending on the character.

Ivy (English) – From the plant; symbolizes fidelity and eternity.

Noe (Spanish/French) – Derived from “Noah,” meaning “rest” or “comfort.”

Wu (Chinese) – Can mean “military,” “five,” or “no,” depending on the character.

Min (Chinese/Korean) – Means “clever,” “quick,” or “people.”

Roy (French/Scottish) – From Old French “roi,” meaning “king.”

Low (Scottish/Chinese) – In Scotland, refers to a small hill; in Chinese, it may be a variation of “Lau.”

Yan (Chinese) – Can mean “speech,” “beautiful,” or “swallow (bird).”

Tam (Vietnamese/Chinese) – Means “heart” in Vietnamese; “deep” or “quiet” in Chinese.

Gill (English/Indian) – In English, means “servant”; in Punjabi, it’s a Jat clan surname.

Fey (Germanic) – May mean “fairy-like” or “fated to die”; often mystical in tone.

Sim (Scottish/Korean) – In Scotland, a short form of “Simon”; in Korean, it means “heart.”

Teo (Chinese/Malay) – A Hokkien variation of “Zhao”; popular among Southeast Asians.

Byu (Korean) – A rare surname possibly derived from “Pyo,” meaning “express” or “display.”

Ice (English) – Possibly a nickname for someone with a cool temperament or pale appearance.

Doe (English) – Refers to a female deer; often used as an alias.

Nam (Korean) – Means “south”; used by clans originally from southern regions.

Rue (English) – From the herb; also symbolizes regret or sorrow.

Moi (French/African) – In French, means “me”; also a Kikuyu surname in Kenya.

Cai (Chinese) – Means “wealth” or “vegetable,” depending on the character.

Aké (Yoruba) – Means “the crown has triumphed”; associated with royal lineage.

Luz (Spanish) – Means “light”; often given symbolically for guidance or clarity.

Byr (English) – Derived from “byre,” meaning cow shed; likely occupational.

Seo (Korean) – Refers to “auspicious omen” or “west,” depending on hanja.

Aal (Dutch) – Means “eel”; originally a nickname or occupational name.

Elm (English) – Refers to someone who lived near elm trees; nature-derived.

Nag (German) – From “Nagel,” meaning “nail”; used for a blacksmith or carpenter.

Ina (Polish) – A toponymic surname from the Ina River region.

Duf (Scottish) – From Gaelic dubh, meaning “dark” or “black.”

Wol (Germanic) – Shortened from “Wolf”; symbol of strength and independence.

Yul (Korean) – Means “law” or “order”; linked to Confucian tradition.

Aoi (Japanese) – Refers to a blue flower or hollyhock plant.

Sek (Khmer) – May relate to “iron”; a name of strength or craft.

Jae (Korean) – Means “talent” or “wealth”; given for aspirational qualities.

Lua (Portuguese) – Means “moon”; poetic and celestial surname.

Ort (Catalan) – Means “vegetable garden”; indicates farming heritage.

Abb (English) – Derived from “abbot”; originally meant “priestly person.”

Ren (Japanese) – Means “lotus” or “love,” depending on the kanji.

Del (Spanish) – Short for “de la”; means “of the,” often noble or regional.

Rix (Germanic) – Derived from “rex,” meaning “king” or ruler.

Huy (Vietnamese) – Means “radiance” or “glory”; often aspirational.

Kuh (German) – Means “cow”; possibly occupational or descriptive.

Myn (Welsh) – Possibly from “mynydd,” meaning “mountain.”

Asa (Hebrew) – Means “healer” or “physician”; biblical origin.

Uzi (Hebrew) – Means “my strength”; linked to military leadership.

Sol (Spanish) – Means “sun”; surname given for brightness or energy.

Isk (Slavic) – Diminutive of “Iskra,” meaning “spark.”

Ken (Gaelic) – Short form of “Kenneth”; means “handsome” or “born of fire.”

Bui (Vietnamese) – Means “dust” or “humble”; symbol of modest origin.

Joo (Korean) – Means “pearl” or “circumference”; graceful and elegant.

Dag (Scandinavian) – Means “day”; linked to Norse mythology.

Eck (German) – From “ecke,” meaning “corner”; originally location-based.

Fav (French) – From “fava,” meaning “bean”; tied to farming.

Yin (Chinese) – Means “shade” or “hidden”; associated with introspection.

Ilg (Swiss German) – Occupational name for a cowherd or livestock handler.

Tor (Hungarian) – Means “feast” or “banquet”; tied to celebrations.

Mut (Egyptian) – Refers to the ancient mother goddess; means “mother.”

Bok (Korean) – Means “blessing” or “fortune”; auspicious surname.

Roh (Korean) – Means “reed” or “path”; poetic and nature-based.

Utz (German) – Derived from a pet form of Ulrich; means “heritage.”

Ara (Armenian) – Name of a legendary king; means “bringer of spring.”

Sem (Dutch) – Short for “Shem,” meaning “renown” or “name.”

Kas (Polish) – Shortened from “Kaspar”; means “treasurer” or “keeper.”

Xue (Chinese) – Means “snow”; often symbolic of purity or beauty.

Ain (Arabic) – Means “eye” or “spring (of water)”; poetic imagery.

Nev (Irish) – Derived from “naomh,” meaning “saint.”

Tor (Icelandic) – Variant referring to the Norse god Thor, deity of thunder.

Rei (Japanese) – Means “gratitude” or “spirit”; deeply respectful connotation.

Gaz (Turkish) – Means “warrior” or “raider”; rooted in Ottoman titles.

Yon (Korean) – Refers to “lotus blossom” or “connection.”

Fez (Moroccan) – Named after the city of Fez; denotes origin or merchant class.

Closing Remarks

Short last names may be short, but they are rich in history, culture, and meaning. If you are searching for last names that are short, easy to remember, and rich in characteristics, this post is for you.