Brown. This is a very common and down - to - earth last name. It can be used for a character who is reliable and stable. If the story is about a family saga, a girl named Brown could be the one who holds the family together through tough times.
One popular royal last name for stories is 'Plantagenet'. It was a powerful dynasty in England with a lot of internal strife and external wars, which can provide great material for a story. Another is 'Valois', which has a rich history in French royalty.
Boyer. It's simple and easy to remember. For a story set in a small French village, a character named Boyer could be the local baker, known for his delicious bread and kind heart.
Johnson. It's so widely known that it can easily fit into any story set in a contemporary or urban environment. For instance, a young journalist named Ms. Johnson who is chasing a big story.
One popular fictional last name is Fowl from 'Artemis Fowl'. The name Fowl is associated with the brilliant and somewhat devious young mastermind Artemis. It gives a sense of mystery and intelligence. In addition, the last name Everdeen from 'The Hunger Games' is quite well - known. Katniss Everdeen is the protagonist, and the name Everdeen has a rustic and strong feel to it, representing her character's roots in District 12. Another is Twain from 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' and 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'. The name Twain is associated with the classic American tales and the adventures of the young boys in those stories.
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.
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.