The Top 25 Common Last Names in the USA

One of the most exciting parts of getting married for some couples is taking on a new last name. Some decide to take their partner's last name, while others get creative and combine their names or pick a new one altogether. However you see yourself changing your name, the choice is up to you.

So you might be wondering, how common is your current or future last name? US name change service HitchSwitch (which makes changing your last name after marriage a total breeze) has the answer. According to founder Jake Wolff, a whopping 52,516 surnames were entered into the company's database in 2019 by newlyweds. From Jones to Park, we're sharing the top 25 most common last names and from that list —but first, here's something fascinating to mull over about these popular last names.

While many of the most popular last names weren't all that surprising (as their owners can surely attest), the data did show something super-interesting: Though the number one surname, Jones, was technically the most common last name, it actually accounted for less than one percent of the surnames entered on HitchSwitch. That means that even the most common last names are pretty darn unique—go figure.

Getting Creative with Last Names

There are tons and tons of last names in the United States, thanks in part to the many cultures that live here. But we'd venture to guess that a modern trend also contributes to this breadth of US surnames. Nowadays, more and more married couples are making tradition with their monikers. While many people still choose to take their spouse's last name when they get married, other couples decide to combine their last names (with or without a hyphen). Then there are the people who get really creative and come up with a from-scratch surname to share. (Yes, that's a thing that you can do!) At the end of the day, it's no wonder there are so many last names out there, regardless of whether they are considered common or not.

Most Popular Last Names in 2019

Whatever route you're going (or have gone) down, you're probably wondering if your original or married moniker made it into the top 25 most popular surnames. Many on the list are generic last names, but you will find some unique ones, too. When you browse our list, you may come across common last names you may have heard of, while other popular ones may be a complete surprise to you. And without further ado, here are 2019's most common last names in the US, based on HitchSwitch's name change data:

1. Jones

2. Smith

3. Garcia

4. Edwards

5. Brown

6. Thompson

7. Sullivan

8. Rodriguez

9. Williams

10. Johnson

11. Martinez

12. Gregory

13. Wilson

14. Burke

15. Hayden

16. Lopez

17. Wilkins

18. Mullin

19. Lee

20. Campbell

21. King

22. White

23. Perez

24. Wang

25. Park

Did your unique or generic last name make the list? These results mirror HitchSwitch's 2018 list of popular last names, with Jones dethroning Smith as the most common last name. The only moniker that wasn't one of 2018's most common surnames? Wang (welcome Wangs!), which booted Lewis from the top 25 list. This just goes to show that common last names can vary in popularity from year to year.

How to Change Your Last Name

If you've decided to change your name post wedding and haven't gotten the swap started yet, now's the time to make the switch, and we can help guide you through the process. Whether you're joining the many Garcias, Johnsons and Lees out there or not, there's a lot to sort out before you change your name. Visit our complete guide to see what the process entails, then check out our state-by-state guides for even more specific instructions.

Stressed by all the paperwork? We don't blame you—that's where a service like HitchSwitch comes in. Sign up for one of its packages (starting at just $39) and complete a single questionnaire—from there, the team will source and autofill all the forms you need for you. That way, you can spend less time writing down your deets and more time monogramming anything and everything. Oh… and practicing that new signature—trust us, it takes a bit to master!

Whether you are taking on one of the above generic last names or dreaming up a one-of-a-kind one, turn to HitchSwitch for all your name-changing needs.