Some creative last names for stories could be 'Dawnbreaker'. It gives an impression of a new beginning or someone who breaks through the darkness. Another one is 'Starwhisper'. It has a very dreamy and mysterious feel, suitable for a character in a fantasy story. Also, 'Shadowveil' can be a great option, which implies mystery and secrecy.
Some creative last names for novels could be 'Stormborne'. It gives a sense of mystery and power, like the character is from a line of strong, storm - associated people. Another one is 'Moonshadow'. It has an ethereal and somewhat magical feel, suitable for a character in a fantasy novel. 'Starling' is also a good option. It's unique and can bring to mind a sense of freedom and a connection to the sky.
One creative last name could be 'Whisperwood'. It gives an air of mystery and a connection to nature. Another option is 'Starling'. It has a celestial and unique feel. 'Silverthorn' is also great as it combines a precious metal with a thorny, perhaps dangerous or guarded element.
Johnson. This name gives a sense of stability and can befit a character who is reliable and perhaps a bit traditional. For example, a family - oriented character in a story about a small - town community.
Smith. It's a very common last name, but that commonness can be used in interesting ways in a story. For example, a character named Mr. Smith could be an everyman, representing the ordinary people in society. He could be caught up in extraordinary events, which would create an interesting contrast.
Starling. This name gives the impression of something small yet significant, like a starling bird that can be both unassuming and remarkable at the same time. It could be used for a character who has hidden talents or a big impact on the story despite initial appearances.
For unique first names, you could use 'Zephyr' which means a gentle breeze, it gives a sense of lightness and airiness to the character. As for last names, 'Moonshadow' is quite unique. It creates an image of something mysterious and related to the night. Another unique first name could be 'Lyra' which is associated with music and harmony.
One way is to look at real - world name trends from different cultures. For instance, in Scandinavian cultures, names like Lars or Astrid are popular. If your story has a touch of mystery, you might choose names that have a certain enigma to them, like Raven for a last name. You could also play with name meanings. If your character is kind - hearted, a name like Grace could be used for the first name.
Consider 'Mortimer'. It has a connection to death with the 'mort' part, which means death in Latin. A family with this name in a horror story could be involved in dark magic or be keepers of some sort of deathly secret that haunts the town they live in.