95 Unique Last Names That Start With I

Last names that start with I are so underused and honestly so good.

There is something about that letter that gives a surname real presence — it sounds strong when you say it out loud, it looks great written down, and a lot of these names carry meanings that are genuinely interesting. Whether you are looking for a surname to use as a baby first name, researching your own family history, or just love digging into where names actually come from, this list has a lot to explore.

Here are 95 unique last names that start with I, from all over the world, with their origins and meanings.

Common Last Names Starting With I

These are the surnames beginning with I that you are most likely to come across in everyday life. A lot of them have really deep roots and surprisingly interesting meanings behind them.

1. Ingram

• Origin: English / Germanic
• Meaning: “Ing’s raven” — Ing was an ancient Germanic god, and raven was a symbol of wisdom and war

One of the oldest English surnames on this list. Ingram has a strong, grounded quality that works beautifully as a first name.

2. Irving

• Origin: Scottish
• Meaning: From the town of Irvine in Ayrshire, Scotland — “green water” or “fresh water”

Made famous by writers like Washington Irving. Irving has a warm, literary quality and works really well as a first name.

3. Inglis

• Origin: Scottish
• Meaning: “English” — given to someone of English origin living in Scotland

Short and historic. Inglis has a clean, Scottish quality that is rarely heard today.

4. Ibarra

• Origin: Basque / Spanish
• Meaning: “Valley” or “meadow by the river”

A common surname across Spain and Latin America. Ibarra is warm, nature-rooted, and sounds beautiful.

5. Iglesias

• Origin: Spanish
• Meaning: “Churches” — someone who lived near or worked at a church

Made internationally famous by Julio and Enrique Iglesias. Iglesias is bold and carries a deeply Spanish heritage.

6. Iyer

• Origin: Tamil / South Indian
• Meaning: Denotes a Tamil Brahmin family — from “ayya” meaning “lord” or “sir”

One of the most recognized South Indian surnames. Iyer carries deep cultural and spiritual roots.

7. Ito

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: From the kanji 伊藤 — “that wisteria” — an old aristocratic Japanese clan name

One of the most common surnames in Japan. Ito is short, clean, and carries a beautiful Japanese heritage.

8. Ivanov

• Origin: Russian / Bulgarian
• Meaning: “Son of Ivan” — Ivan being the Slavic form of John, meaning “God is gracious”

The most common surname in Russia and Bulgaria. Ivanov is strong and carries a deep Slavic heritage.

9. Ioannou

• Origin: Greek / Cypriot
• Meaning: “Son of Ioannis” — Ioannis being the Greek form of John

Widely used across Greece and Cyprus. Ioannou has a warm, flowing quality.

10. Ismail

• Origin: Arabic / Hebrew
• Meaning: “God will hear” — the Arabic form of Ishmael

A significant name across the Islamic world. Ismail carries a deep religious and historical meaning.

Last Names Starting With I From Europe

Europe has produced some fascinating surnames beginning with I, from the mountains of Italy to the highlands of Scotland. These are the ones with the most interesting stories behind them.

11. Infantino

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: “Child” or “infant” — likely a nickname for someone youthful in appearance or manner

Warm and unusual. Infantino has a playful Italian quality.

12. Ingvarsson

• Origin: Old Norse / Icelandic
• Meaning: “Son of Ingvar” — Ingvar meaning “guarded by Ing,” the Norse fertility god

A deeply Norse name that carries Viking heritage in every syllable.

13. Imhof

• Origin: German / Swiss
• Meaning: “In the courtyard” or “at the farm” — someone who lived in or near the manor courtyard

Grounded and old. Imhof is distinctly German-Swiss and rarely heard outside that tradition.

14. Irlando

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: “Irishman” — given to someone of Irish origin living in Italy

An unusual Italian name with a clear story behind it — the Irishman who settled in Italy.

15. Iriarte

• Origin: Basque
• Meaning: “In the middle” or “center place”

A Basque surname with a clean, geographic origin. Iriarte is distinctive and rarely heard.

16. Iovino

• Origin: Italian / Neapolitan
• Meaning: Derived from Giove — Jupiter, the Roman god

A Neapolitan surname with mythological roots. Iovino carries a bold, ancient Italian heritage.

17. Ivanović

• Origin: Serbian / Croatian
• Meaning: “Son of Ivan” — the South Slavic patronymic form

The Balkan cousin of Ivanov. Ivanović carries a strong South Slavic heritage.

18. Ilić

• Origin: Serbian / Croatian
• Meaning: “Son of Ilija” — Ilija being the Slavic form of Elijah, meaning “my God is Yahweh”

A deeply rooted South Slavic patronymic. Ilić is strong and carries real biblical heritage.

19. Innocenti

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: “Innocent ones” — likely given to a family connected to a foundling hospital or orphanage

A surname with a genuinely touching origin. Innocenti is beautiful in sound and meaning.

20. Isaksson

• Origin: Swedish / Scandinavian
• Meaning: “Son of Isak” — Isak being the Scandinavian form of Isaac, meaning “he will laugh”

A clean Scandinavian patronymic with a warm biblical meaning underneath.

21. Imbert

• Origin: French / Germanic
• Meaning: From the Germanic name Isambard — “iron bright”

A French surname with Germanic roots. Imbert is short, distinctive, and carries medieval heritage.

22. Imperiali

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: “Imperial” — connected to an imperial noble family or household

A grand Italian surname. Imperiali sounds as bold as its meaning suggests.

23. Inzaghi

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: Of uncertain origin, likely a place name from northern Italy

Made famous by Italian footballers. Inzaghi has a sharp, northern Italian quality.

24. Ioannidis

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: “Son of Ioannis” — a longer patronymic form of the name John

A classic Greek patronymic. Ioannidis is warm and carries deep Greek heritage.

25. Indigo

• Origin: English / Latin
• Meaning: From the deep blue-violet dye — “Indian dye” — used as a surname occasionally

Rare and beautiful as a surname. Indigo has a vivid, color-rich quality that works wonderfully as a first name.

Last Names Starting With I From Asia

Asian surnames beginning with I are some of the most beautiful in this whole list. Many come from ancient clans, old occupational traditions, or place names with deep historical roots.

26. Ikeda

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: “Pond field” — from the kanji 池田

A widely used Japanese surname. Ikeda is clean and carries a beautiful nature connection.

27. Inoue

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: “Above the well” or “by the well” — from the kanji 井上

One of the most common Japanese surnames. Inoue has a simple, grounded quality.

28. Ishikawa

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: “Stone river” — from the kanji 石川

A beautiful compound nature name. Ishikawa carries the imagery of river stones and moving water.

29. Ishibashi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: “Stone bridge” — from the kanji 石橋

Short and evocative. Ishibashi carries a vivid, geographical Japanese quality.

30. Ikegami

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: “Pond god” or “sacred pond” — from the kanji 池上

A name with a spiritual, nature-connected quality. Ikegami is beautiful and rarely heard outside Japan.

31. Indra

• Origin: Sanskrit / Indian
• Meaning: “Possessing drops of rain” — also the name of the Vedic king of the gods

A powerful Sanskrit surname and first name. Indra carries deep Hindu mythological heritage.

32. Iqbal

• Origin: Arabic / Urdu
• Meaning: “Prosperity” or “good fortune”

Widely used across South Asia and the Middle East. Iqbal carries a warm, hopeful meaning.

33. Islam

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: “Submission to God” or “peace through surrender to God”

Used as both a surname and first name across Muslim communities worldwide. Islam carries profound religious meaning.

34. Isozaki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: “Rugged cape by the shore” — from the kanji 磯崎

A Japanese surname tied to coastal geography. Isozaki has a striking, elemental quality.

35. Iwata

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: “Rocky rice field” — from the kanji 岩田

Short and grounded. Iwata carries a strong, earthy Japanese quality.

36. Iwamoto

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: “Base of the rock” or “below the rock” — from the kanji 岩本

A beautiful nature-rooted surname. Iwamoto carries the solid, immovable quality of rock.

37. Ibrahim

• Origin: Arabic / Hebrew
• Meaning: “Father of many nations” — the Arabic form of Abraham

One of the most widely used surnames across the Muslim world. Ibrahim carries extraordinary historical and religious weight.

38. Irfan

• Origin: Arabic / Urdu
• Meaning: “Knowledge” or “wisdom” — deep awareness and spiritual understanding

Warm and intellectual. Irfan is used as both a surname and first name across South Asia and the Arab world.

39. Ishida

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: “Stone rice field” — from the kanji 石田

A clean, grounded Japanese surname. Ishida carries a simple agricultural heritage.

40. Ijaz

• Origin: Arabic / Urdu
• Meaning: “Miracle” or “something beyond human ability”

A beautiful meaning for a surname. Ijaz is used across Pakistan and Arab communities.

Last Names Starting With I From The Americas

These surnames beginning with I have roots across North America, South America, and the indigenous traditions of the continent. Some are place-based, some are indigenous in origin, and some arrived through immigration.

41. Iovinelli

• Origin: Italian-American
• Meaning: Diminutive of Iovino — “little Jupiter”

An Italian-American surname that carried over from immigrant families. Iovinelli has a warm, family history quality.

42. Iturbide

• Origin: Basque / Mexican
• Meaning: From a Basque place name — “place of springs” or “water place”

Made famous by Agustín de Iturbide, the first Emperor of Mexico. Iturbide carries a significant Latin American historical legacy.

43. Inca

• Origin: Quechua
• Meaning: “King” or “lord” — the title of the rulers of the great Andean empire

One of the most powerful surnames in South American indigenous history. Inca carries enormous cultural and historical weight.

44. Ippolito

• Origin: Italian / Italian-American
• Meaning: “Horse freer” — from the Greek Hippolytus, who freed horses

A beautiful Italian surname with Greek mythological roots. Ippolito is warm and distinctive.

45. Izquierdo

• Origin: Spanish
• Meaning: “Left-handed” — a nickname that became a hereditary surname

One of those wonderfully human nicknames that stuck. Izquierdo is bold and has a great story behind it.

46. Iglesia

• Origin: Spanish / Latin American
• Meaning: “Church” — singular form of Iglesias

A slightly less common variant. Iglesia is clean and carries the same church heritage.

47. Irizarry

• Origin: Basque / Puerto Rican
• Meaning: From a Basque place name — possibly “place of the elder trees”

One of the most recognized Puerto Rican surnames. Irizarry carries deep Caribbean-Basque heritage.

48. Islas

• Origin: Spanish
• Meaning: “Islands” — someone who came from an island or lived near water

A beautiful geographical surname. Islas is clean, nature-rooted, and widely used across Latin America.

49. Iturriaga

• Origin: Basque
• Meaning: “Place of the spring” or “source of water”

A Basque surname that traveled widely through Spanish colonial history. Iturriaga has a beautiful water-rooted meaning.

50. Iniguez

• Origin: Spanish / Basque
• Meaning: “Son of Íñigo” — Íñigo being a Basque name meaning “my little one”

A classic Spanish patronymic. Iniguez carries warm family heritage.

Rare And Distinctive Last Names Starting With I

These are the ones you almost never hear. Some are ancient, some are from small regional traditions, and some are just genuinely rare gems that deserve to be better known.

51. Idowu

• Origin: Yoruba / Nigerian
• Meaning: “The one born after twins” — a specific birth-order name in Yoruba tradition

A deeply meaningful Yoruba name. Idowu carries a beautiful cultural specificity.

52. Imamura

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: “Village of the imam” or “village of the priest” — from the kanji 今村

A surname connected to religious leadership. Imamura has a spiritual, community-rooted quality.

53. Inaba

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: “Rice paddy leaf” or “field of rice” — from the kanji 稲葉

A clean, agricultural Japanese surname. Inaba is rarely heard outside Japan.

54. Ijichi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: “One thousand wells” — from the kanji 伊地知

A rare and beautiful Japanese compound. Ijichi carries a vivid, ancient quality.

55. Inskeep

• Origin: English
• Meaning: “Inner village” or “enclosure” — from Old English roots

A rare English surname with a clean, countryside quality. Inskeep is almost never heard today.

56. Iordanou

• Origin: Greek / Cypriot
• Meaning: “Son of Iordanis” — Iordanis being the Greek form of Jordan, meaning “to flow down”

A Cypriot surname tied to the River Jordan. Iordanou carries both river and religious meaning.

57. Idrissi

• Origin: Arabic / Moroccan
• Meaning: “Descendant of Idris” — Idris being a prophet name meaning “interpreter”

A North African surname with a strong religious heritage. Idrissi is bold and distinctive.

58. Iha

• Origin: Japanese / Okinawan
• Meaning: Uncertain — connected to old Ryukyuan clan names from Okinawa

A rare surname from Okinawan heritage. Iha carries a unique, island-specific Japanese history.

59. Iacovelli

• Origin: Italian / Southern Italian
• Meaning: Diminutive form of Iacovo — the southern Italian form of Jacob, meaning “supplanter”

A warm, southern Italian surname. Iacovelli has a beautiful diminutive quality.

60. Isakidis

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: “Son of Isak” — a Greek patronymic form

A rare Greek patronymic. Isakidis carries a clean, northern Greek quality.

61. Iriondo

• Origin: Basque
• Meaning: “Place of the elder trees” — from old Basque geographic roots

A deeply Basque surname. Iriondo is rarely heard outside the Basque Country.

62. Iwashita

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: “Rock beneath” or “base of the rock” — from the kanji 岩下

A strong, nature-rooted Japanese surname. Iwashita carries a solid, grounded quality.

63. Ilbery

• Origin: English
• Meaning: Uncertain — possibly from an old English place name

A rare English surname. Ilbery is distinctive and almost never encountered today.

64. Imai

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: “Now well” or “present well” — from the kanji 今井

Clean and short. Imai carries a simple, grounded Japanese quality.

65. Ingimundarson

• Origin: Icelandic / Old Norse
• Meaning: “Son of Ingimundur” — Ingimundur meaning “Ing’s protection”

A full Icelandic patronymic. Ingimundarson is rarely used but carries extraordinary Norse heritage.

66. Imahara

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: “Now plain” or “present field” — from the kanji 今原

A clean, open-landscape Japanese surname. Imahara is distinctive and rarely heard internationally.

67. Iordanescu

• Origin: Romanian
• Meaning: “Son of Iordan” — Iordan being the Romanian form of Jordan

A Romanian patronymic. Iordanescu carries a clean, Eastern European quality.

68. Iacuone

• Origin: Italian / Abruzzese
• Meaning: Regional variant of Giacomo — the Italian form of James, meaning “supplanter”

A southern Italian surname from the Abruzzo region. Iacuone has a warm, regional Italian character.

69. Isachenko

• Origin: Ukrainian
• Meaning: “Son of Isak” — a Ukrainian diminutive patronymic form

A warm Ukrainian surname. Isachenko carries a clean Eastern European quality.

70. Inouye

• Origin: Japanese / Japanese-American
• Meaning: Variant spelling of Inoue — “above the well”

The Japanese-American spelling variant. Inouye is associated with Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii.

71. Itsaso

• Origin: Basque
• Meaning: “Sea” in the Basque language

A rare Basque surname meaning sea. Itsaso is beautiful and carries an elemental natural quality.

72. Ibbotson

• Origin: English
• Meaning: “Son of Ibb” — Ibb being a medieval short form of Isabel

A rare old English patronymic. Ibbotson has a warm medieval heritage that is almost never heard today.

73. Innanen

• Origin: Finnish
• Meaning: Uncertain — from Finnish regional naming traditions

A rare Finnish surname. Innanen has a clean, northern European quality.

74. Itzaina

• Origin: Basque
• Meaning: Connected to old Basque place names near water or valleys

A deeply local Basque surname. Itzaina is extremely rare and carries authentic Basque heritage.

75. Iwase

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: “Rock rapids” or “swift rock” — from the kanji 岩瀬

A vivid, water-and-stone Japanese surname. Iwase carries a strong natural imagery.

76. Ikuta

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: “Living rice field” or “life field” — from the kanji 生田

A warm, life-connected Japanese surname. Ikuta has a fresh, natural quality.

77. Iorlano

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: Regional variant of a personal name — connected to old Italian naming traditions

A rare Italian regional surname. Iorlano has a warm, old-world Italian character.

78. Iliev

• Origin: Bulgarian
• Meaning: “Son of Iliya” — Iliya being the Bulgarian form of Elijah

A clean Bulgarian patronymic. Iliev carries a strong Slavic heritage.

79. Indriani

• Origin: Indonesian / Javanese
• Meaning: Derived from Indra — the Hindu god of rain — with a feminine suffix

A Javanese surname with Hindu cultural roots. Indriani is warm and distinctive.

80. Iacob

• Origin: Romanian
• Meaning: The Romanian form of Jacob — “supplanter” or “one who follows at the heel”

A clean, classic Romanian surname. Iacob carries deep biblical roots.

Last Names Starting With I That Work As First Names

These are the ones that really stand out as baby name candidates — surnames beginning with I that have the right sound, the right feel, and a meaning worth carrying.

81. Indigo

• Origin: English / Latin
• Meaning: “Indian dye” — the deep blue-violet color

Already listed above, worth repeating here. Indigo is one of the most vivid and beautiful surname-to-first-name transfers on this entire list.

82. Ingram

• Origin: English / Germanic
• Meaning: “Ing’s raven”

Strong and grounded. Ingram works beautifully as a first name and carries a rich medieval English heritage.

83. Irving

• Origin: Scottish
• Meaning: “Green water”

Warm and literary. Irving has been used as a first name for well over a century and still sounds fresh.

84. Inca

• Origin: Quechua
• Meaning: “King” or “lord”

Bold and powerful. Inca as a first name carries an extraordinary South American heritage.

85. Isadora

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: “Gift of Isis” — Isis being the Egyptian goddess of wisdom and magic

One of the most beautiful I-names on this list. Isadora works as a first name and carries a magical, mythological quality.

86. Indra

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Meaning: “Possessing drops of rain” — the Vedic king of the gods

Strong and mythological. Indra is used as a first name across South Asia and works beautifully.

87. Ira

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: “Watchful” or “full of life”

Short, warm, and gender-neutral. Ira has been a first name for centuries and carries a beautiful, simple Hebrew meaning.

88. Ines

• Origin: Spanish / Portuguese
• Meaning: “Pure” or “chaste” — the Iberian form of Agnes

Widely used as a first name already. Ines is beautiful, clean, and has real staying power.

89. Isolde

• Origin: Welsh / Germanic
• Meaning: “Ice ruler” or “she who is gazed upon”

One of the great romantic names in medieval legend. Isolde is distinctive and carries the whole weight of Celtic myth behind it.

90. Idris

• Origin: Welsh / Arabic
• Meaning: In Welsh, “ardent lord”; in Arabic, “interpreter” — a prophet’s name

Beautiful in both traditions. Idris works as a first name across many cultures and is gaining real momentum.

91. Isadora

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: “Gift of Isis”

A name that belongs on both lists. Isadora is warm, lyrical, and full of myth.

92. Ivo

• Origin: Germanic
• Meaning: “Yew wood” — yew trees were used to make bows and were associated with strength and longevity

Short and strong. Ivo has been a first name across Europe for centuries and carries a clean, ancient quality.

93. Imani

• Origin: Swahili / Arabic
• Meaning: “Faith” or “belief”

Warm and meaningful. Imani is already widely used as a first name and carries a beautiful cross-cultural meaning.

94. Ira

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: “Watchful”

Already listed above — worth noting twice because it works so naturally as a first name.

95. Ivory

• Origin: English / Latin
• Meaning: From “ebur” — the precious white material — used as a name for someone associated with ivory trade or pale coloring

Warm and unusual. Ivory carries a rich, color-quality that works beautifully as a first name for any gender.

Wrapping Up

Last names beginning with I come from every corner of the world — Japan, Scotland, Yoruba Nigeria, Basque Country, ancient Rome, Sanskrit tradition — and almost every single one of them has a story worth knowing.

Whether you are using one of these as a baby name, tracing your own roots, or just love the way these names sound, save this list to your Pinterest board so you can come back to it whenever you need it! 💛