Surnames from Shore to Shore

I have a hard time coming up with last names for my characters, especially minor ones that might need last names but don’t get much page time. This National Geographic map detailing the most common surnames across the US might be a big help when I need to pick a fairly random one. Lots of Smith and Jones, but it’s fun to see the more regionally common last names like Pelletier in Maine and Trujillo in the southwest.

0 thoughts on “Surnames from Shore to Shore

  1. nataliebank says:

    Thanks for posting about a potentially very handy resource. I love it. I always wonder if my fictional characters’ names sound as contrived as the fake names my friends and I used to give ourselves on the playground, ie. Stephanie Slate. Gah.

    Another naming tip I’ve heard is to make the name long and unusual if you want it to be remembered.

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