150+ Common Haitian Last Names Or Surnames, With Meanings

Haitian last names are storytellers of the country’s history, identity, and tradition. They have a variety of influences, including French and Spanish, which tell us about the country’s colonial history and culture. On the other hand, some last names, like Gabriel and Simon, reflect the country’s religious traditions.

However, these last names also have the indelible mark of the African spirit. Surnames such as Aimé and Sanon showcase the resilience of the African ancestors. They tell a story of strength and unity in the face of difficulties. Haitian surnames serve as a reminder of the endurance of the Haitian people. Each name is a testament to the triumphs of the previous generations. So, let’s explore these Haitian surnames and learn more about the land’s culture and heritage.

150+ Haitian Last Names

With different origins such as Latin, French, English, and Hebrew, among others, these Haitian last names can tell us much about the people and their identity.

Common Haitian Last Names

Though most Haitian surnames are derived from French, some of them are more commonly used in Haiti than in France. Take a look at these last names.

1. Altidor

With unknown meaning, Altidor is derived from the same first name. It is related to other similar fictional names such as Alcindor and Lindor.

2. Bazile

Bazile is a French, Norman, West Indian, and Mauritian surname, which is also used as a given name. It is a variant of the French surname Basile, which comes from the Greek word basileus, meaning ‘king’ or ‘royal.’

3. Belizaire

Also spelled as Bélizaire in Haiti, this surname has Greek roots. It may have originated from the word belos, meaning ‘arrow.’ It could also be derived from the Slavic word Beli-tzar, which means ‘white prince.’

4. Blaise

Pronounced as BLEHZ, this surname has Latin roots and originates from the word blaesus, which means ‘lisping.’ It is also used as a first name.

5. Blanc

Originally used as a nickname, Blanc was given to a person with light blonde hair or pale complexion. It has Old French roots and means ‘white.’

6. Brutus

Brutus has Latin roots and means ‘heavy.’ It is also used as a first name and was used as a Roman cognomen.

7. Calixte

Calixte is related to the Latin first name Callistus and has Greek roots. It comes from the word Kallistos, meaning ‘the most beautiful.’

8. Casimir

With Slavic origins, Casimir is made from the elements kaziti and miru, which means ‘destroyer of peace.’ It is also used as a German and French surname.

9. Casseus

Casseus is a variant of the Roman family name Cassius. It comes from the Latin cassus, which means ‘empty’ or ‘vain,’ and may have been used as a nickname.

10. Celestin

Celestin is a French surname with Latin roots. It is derived from the Late Latin word Caelestis, which means ‘heavenly.’

11. Delva

A common surname in Haiti, Delva is a variant of the French name Duval. It is a topographic name for a person ‘from the valley.’

12. Denis

Derived from the same first name, Denis is the French form of Latin Dionysius. It means ‘follower of Dionysus.’

13. Dorvil

Dorvil is an ornamental surname. It consists of the elements d’Or, which means ‘of gold,’ and ville, which means ‘settlement.’

14. Eugene

Derived from the same first name, Eugene has Latin roots and means ‘well-born’ or ‘noble.’ It is used in several West Indian countries including Martinique, Haiti, and Guadeloupe.

15. Fils-Aimé

Also written as Fils-Aime or Filsaime, this surname means ‘beloved son.’ It is pronounced as FEES-EH-MEH.

16. Fortune

Also spelled as Fortuné in French, this surname is derived from the same given name and ultimately from the Latin term fortuna. It means ‘prosperous’ and ‘happy.’

17. Guillaume

Some names are popular in nearly all European languages and William is one of them. Guillaume is its French equivalent and means ‘will helmet’ or ‘protection.’

18. Henry

Used predominantly in the West Indian countries of Haiti and Jamaica, Henry has Old French and Germanic roots. It means ‘home ruler.’

19. Hilaire

Derived from the same first name, Hilaire is pronounced as EE-LEHR. It is the French version of Hilarius, which comes from the Greek term hilaros or Latin word hilaris, which means ‘cheerful’.

20. Hippolyte

Also written as Hyppolite, this surname is derived from the same given name. With Greek origins, it comes from the words hippos, meaning ‘horse’, and luo, meaning ‘to loosen.’ Thus, it means ‘freer of horses.’

21. Innocent

Innocent has Latin origins, possibly originating from the word Innocentius, and means ‘harmless’ and ‘non-violent.’ It is also used in other countries such as France, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

22. Janvier

Another last name with Latin origins, Janvier is derived from Januarius, which comes from janus. It means ‘covered passage’ or ‘arcade.’ It could also have originated as a nickname for a person born in January.

23. Jean-Pierre

Also written as Jean Pierre or Jeanpierre, this surname is derived from combining the given names Jean and Pierre or John and Peter. With biblical associations, it possibly means ‘God is merciful’.

24. Jeanty

Derived from the first name Jean, Jeanty has Old French origins. It means ‘noble,’ ‘generous,’ and ‘amiable.’

25. Jerome

Alternatively spelled as Jérôme, this last name is derived from the same first name. It has Greek roots and is derived from the name Hieronymos, which means ‘sacred name.’

26. Jeudy

A variant of Jeudi, this last name originated as a nickname. It is given as a first name for a child born on Thursday.

27. Lafleur

Lafleur is derived from the French phrase la fleur, which means ‘the flower.’ It used to be given to soldiers or servants.

28. Lindor

Derived from the same first name, Lindor could be derived from the German word linde, meaning ‘lime tree’. There are a few theories surrounding the origin of this name, including that it is a variant of Leander.

29. Lubin

Another surname derived from a French given name, Lubin has Germanic origins. It means ‘dear’ or ‘beloved.’

30. Marcellus

Marcellus has Latin origins and is derived from the given name Marcus, which is related to the Roman god Mars. It is also used as a first name.

31. Mathieu

A surname inspired by the Bible, Mathieu is a variation of Matthew. It means ‘gift of God.’

32. Mathurin

Mathurin is also used as a first name and originates from the Latin term maturus. It means ‘ripe’ or ‘mature,’ and is used mainly in Haiti and Saint Lucia.

33. Metellus

Also spelled as Métellus and Météllus, this surname was derived from the same first name. It means ‘hired servant’ in Etruscan and was borne by some important families in the Roman Republic.

34. Mondesir

Alternatively spelled as Mondésir, this surname is considered to be either a nickname or an ornamental last name. It means ‘my desire.’

35. Nelson

Nelson is an English surname. It means ‘son of Neil’ and has Celtic roots.

36. Orelus

Orelus is a variant of the Roman first name Aurelius. It comes from the Latin word aureus, which means ‘golden’ or ‘gilded.’

37. Petion

Also spelled as Pétion, this surname is considered to be a diminutive of Petit. It means ‘small’ and is commonly used in Haiti.

38. Petit-Frere

Petit-frere is mainly used in Haiti and Martinique. It is derived from a nickname that means ‘little brother.’

39. Philippe

Derived from the same given name, this surname means ‘lover of horses.’ It is also used as a surname in Breton, Walloon, and Mauritius.

40. Philogene

Also spelled as Philogène, this last name is derived from the same French first name. It has Greek roots and is derived from the words philos, meaning ‘friend’, and genes, meaning ‘born’.

41. Raphael

Associated with the Bible, Raphael has Hebrew roots. It means ‘God heals’ and is also used as an English, German, and French surname.

42. Raymond

Raymond has ancient Germanic origins. It seems to have originated from the word Raginmund, which has come from the terms regin, meaning ‘advice’, and munt, which means ‘protection.’ It is also used as an English surname.

43. Richard

Another last name with Germanic elements, Richard means ‘brave and powerful’ or ‘brave ruler’. It is also used as an English, French, German, and Dutch surname.

44. Saint-Fleur

A variation of St. Fleur, this surname has Latin roots. It means ‘flower’ and is derived from the Latin florus, which means ‘blooming’ or ‘flowering.’

45. Saint-Louis

Saint-Louis is a variant of St. Louis. It is a habitational name derived from places with similar names in France. This surname may have been inspired by Louis IX of France or St. Louis.

46. Salomon

Salomon is a variant of Solomon and means ‘peace.’ It has Hebrew origins and is used in several languages and cultures including German, Jewish, Dutch, Polish, French, Mauritian, and Breton.

47. Severe

Also spelled as Sévère, this surname is derived from the same French first name. It may have also originated from the Roman family name Severus, which means ‘harsh’ or ‘austere.’

48. Simeon

Another surname with biblical reference, Simeon has Hebrew roots. It has probably derived from the given name Simon, which means ‘to hear.’

49. Sylvain

Sylvain has Latin roots and means ‘forest’ or ‘wood.’ It is also used as a first name and may be a topographic surname.

50. Ulysse

Ulysse is derived from the same first name and is the French form of Ulysses. It is pronounced as UY-LEES. This surname is perhaps the Latinized form of Odysseus, a legendary Greek hero.

Popular Haitian Last Names

These Haitian surnames are quite popular in the country. Apart from French, some of these last names may even have origins in Latin and Greek. Keep reading to learn more.

51. Alexandre

Alexandre is derived from the same given name and is related to the given name Alexander. It is a variant of the Greek name Alexandros, which means ‘defender of men.’

52. Alexis

Pronounced as A-LEHK-SEE in French, this surname is derived from the same given name. It means ‘helper’ or ‘defender.’

53. Andre

Pronounced as AHN-DREH, this surname is derived from the French first name André. It has Greek origins and means ‘manly’ or ‘masculine.’

54. Antoine

Another surname derived from a first name, Antoine is pronounced as AHN-TWAN. It has Etruscan roots and is related to the names Anthony and Antonius.

55. Aristide

Pronounced as A-REES-TEED, this surname is derived from the Greek name Aristeides. It comes from the word aristos, meaning ‘best.’ This surname is used in French, Italian, and Haitian Creole.

56. Auguste

Derived from the same French first name, Auguste is the French variant of Augustus. It means ‘venerable.’

57. Augustin

Augustin is pronounced as O-GUYS-TEHN. It is a variant of the Roman name Augustinus.

58. Baptiste

Baptiste is derived from the same given name. It means ‘baptist’ in French, which is derived from the Greek word bapto, meaning ‘to dip’. It is usually given to honor Saint John the Baptist.

59. Bernard

With Germanic origins, Bernard means ‘strong bear.’ It is also used as an English, Scottish, French, Walloon, Breton, Dutch, German, and Polish surname.

60. Bien-Aimé

Also written as Bien-Aime, Bienaimé, and Bienaime, this surname is pronounced as BYEH-NEH-MEH. Derived from French words bien and aimé, it means ‘beloved.’

61. Cadet

Cadet is a relationship name usually given to a ‘younger son.’ It was given to the younger of the two bearers of the same name in a family.

62. Charles

Charles is derived from the same given name and has Germanic roots, which means ‘man,’ ‘husband,’ or ‘free man.’ It is also used as a French, Welsh, and English surname.

63. Chery

Also spelled as Chéry, it is also used as a first name or nickname derived from the French word cheri. It means ‘darling.’

64. Desir

Derived from the personal name Désir, it means ‘desire’ in French. It originated as a nickname.

65. Edouard

Edouard is a variant of the English and Welsh surname Edward. It means ‘rich guard.’ This Old English name has several variants and is used across Europe.

66. Etienne

The Afrikaans form of Steven, Etienne is also spelled as Étienne. It means ‘crown’ and is also used as a French, Mauritian, and West Indian surname in Martinique and Guadeloupe.

67. Felix

Also used as a Spanish, French, Portuguese, and English surname, Felix has Latin roots. It means ‘happy,’ ‘lucky,’ and ‘fortunate.’

68. Francois

Pronounced as FRAHN-SWA, this surname is derived from the same first name. It is also written as François and means ‘Frenchman.’

69. Gabriel

Another Biblical surname with Hebrew roots, Gabriel means ‘man of God.’ It is used as a surname in several languages, including English, Scottish, French, German, and Spanish.

70. Georges

Georges is a French given name and variant of the first name George. It has Greek roots and means ‘farmer.’

71. Germain

Derived from the Latin name Germanus, Germain is a popular French Haitian surname. It means ‘brother.’

72. Guerrier

Guerrier means ‘warrior’ and was possibly used as a nickname for an aggressive person. It could also be an occupational name for a soldier.

73. Jacques

Pronounced as ZHAHK, this surname is derived from the same given name. It is related to Jacob and means ‘supplanter’.

74. Jean

Jean is a variant of John and means ‘God is gracious.’ It is pronounced as ZHAHN.

75. Jean-Baptiste

Pronounced as ZHAHN-BA-TEEST, this surname is derived from the same first name. It is a combination of Jean and Baptiste and refers to Saint John the Baptist.

76. Jean-Louis

Derived by combining the first names Jean and Louis, this is one of the most well-known last names in Haiti. It is pronounced as ZHAHN-LWEE.

77. Jeune

Jeune is derived from the same French word. Originally used as a nickname, it means ‘young’ and is found mostly in Haiti.

78. Joseph

Derived from the same first name, Joseph is a Biblical surname. It means ‘He will add.’

79. Jules

Another last name with Latin roots, Jules is a variant of the first name Julius. It means ‘downy bearded.’

80. Julien

Derived from the same given name, Julien is pronounced as ZHUY-LYEHN. This surname is also associated with Julius.

81. Laguerre

Sometimes written as Guerre, this surname originated from a nickname. It was usually given to a soldier or an aggressive person and means ‘war.’

82. Laurent

Also used as a first name, Laurent has Latin roots. It means ‘from Laurentum,’ which was the name of an ancient city in Italy.

83. Louis

Derived from the same French, English, and Dutch given name, Louis has Germanic roots. It means ‘famous in battle.’

84. Louissaint

A popular Haitian surname, Louissaint consists of French elements. It means ‘Saint Louis.’

85. Marcelin

Pronounced as MAR-SU-LEHN, this surname is derived from the same first name. It has Latin roots and is related to the Roman god Mars.

86. Michel

Derived from several names such as Michel, Michiel, and Mitxel, this surname is related to Michael. It means ‘who is like God?’

87. Moise

Also written as Moïse, this surname is pronounced as MAW-EEZ. It is used as a first name, too. With Hebrew origins, this surname means ‘son’ or ‘deliver.’

88. Nicolas

Yet another surname derived from the same first name, Nicolas has Greek roots. It is derived from the name Nikolaos, which means ‘victory of the people.’

89. Noel

Noel could be derived from the same first name and it means ‘Christmas’ in French. It could also be derived from the Old French word noel, which also means the same. It was generally used for someone born during or related to the Christmas period.

90. Paul

Taken from the same first name, Paul comes from the Roman family name Paulus, which means ‘small’ or ‘humble.’ It has Latin roots and is associated with the Bible.

91. Petit

Petit may have originated from a nickname for a short or small person or even a young person. It means ‘small’ or ‘little.’

92. Pierre

Pronounced as PYEHR, this surname is derived from the same first name. It is the French form of Peter and means ‘rock.’

93. Pierre-Louis

Predominantly used in Haiti and Mauritius, this surname is also spelled as Pierrelouis in the US. It is a compound of Pierre and Louis.

94. Rene

Also spelled as René, this surname is derived from the same first name. It has Latin origins and means ‘born again.’

95. Saint

Though originally used as a nickname for a pious person, Saint transitioned into a surname after being popularized as a given name in the Middle Ages. It means ‘blameless’ or ‘holy.’

96. Saintil

Possibly derived from a rare Latin first name Sanctilus, this surname means ‘holy.’ It was usually given to people of great virtue.

97. Sanon

Sanon is one of the most common Haitian surnames with an African origin. It is used mainly in West Africa among the Bobo people.

98. Simon

Derived from the same Biblical first name, Simon has Hebrew roots. It means ‘hearing’ or ‘listening.’

99. Thomas

Thomas is derived from the same first name. It has Aramaic origin and means ‘twin.’ This last name shows both French and biblical influences.

100. Toussaint

Also spelled as Thossain, Thossaint, Thossent, Thousain, and Thousains among others, Toussaint is also used as a first name. It means ‘all of the saints’ and denotes All Saints’ Day in French. It’s used for someone born on the day of the festival.

101. Victor

With Latin origins, the surname Victor means ‘winner’ or ‘conqueror.’ It is also used as a given name.

Rare Haitian Last Names

Though these surnames occur rarely in Haiti, they have made a mark. These surnames may be used in other West Indian countries, too.

102. Aimé

An African French surname, Aimé means ‘loved’ or ‘love.’ It may have originated from the Latin word Amatus, which means ‘beloved’.

103. Alteus

Alteus is possibly a variant of the German surname Alter. Alternatively, it could be a form of the English Alders, which is a topographic name.

104. Antenor

Also spelled as Anténor in Haiti, this surname is derived from the same French personal name. It has connections to Greek mythology and means ‘against men.’ This name has links to Greek mythology, with King Priam of Troy’s counselor bearing the name.

105. Armand

Armand is derived from the same given name. It is derived from the Old German terms heri and man, which means ‘army man.’

106. Archille

Archille has Spanish origins. It is a habitational name derived from Archilla, a town in Guadalajara province.

107. Avain

A variant of the French surname Allain, Avain may be related to Allen. It means ‘rock.’

108. Ballou

Written variously as Balleux, Valley, Bal, Balle, Ball, and Balard, this surname originated from Brittany. It is now used as a French, Caribbean French, and Haitian Creole surname.

109. Barthelemy

Barthelemy is a variant of Bartholomew and means ‘son of Talmai’ in Hebrew. It is also spelled as Barthélemy.

110. Benjamin

Another last name with Hebrew origins, Benjamin means ‘son of the right hand.’ It is used as an English, French, Nigerian, Tanzanian, and Jewish surname, too.

111. Benoit

Alternatively spelled with accents as Benoît, this surname is the French variant of Benedict. It means ‘blessed.’

112. Buisson

Buisson could be a topographic or a habitational name. It means ‘bush scrub’ and comes from the Old French word buisson.

113. Camille

Used mainly in Haiti and Seychellois, this French surname is derived from the same first name. It means ‘a young person of noble birth who assists the priest with sacrifices’ in Latin.

114. Cesar

In the West Indies, Cesar is written as César and was used as a nickname. It is usually thought to mean ‘hairy,’ but is also used as a nickname for ‘emperor.’

115. Césaire

Pronounced as SEH-ZEHR, this surname is derived from the same given name. It has Latin origins and is related to Caesar, which possibly means ‘hair.’

116. Civil

Derived from the Catalan and French word civil, this surname means ‘civil’ or ‘pertaining to a citizen.’ It could also mean ‘cultured’ or ‘educated.’

117. Compere

Alternatively spelled as Compère, this surname is a nickname or a relationship name. It means ‘godfather.’

118. Constant

With Latin origins, the last name Constant means ‘steadfast’ or ‘faithful.’ It is also used as an English and American surname.

119. Daniel

A Biblical name with Hebrew origins, Daniel means ‘God is my judge.’ It is used in several languages such as English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and Polish.

120. Darius

Derived from the same Latin given name, Darius means ‘good possessions.’ This name was borne by several kings of ancient Persia.

121. Dauphin

Derived from the same given name, Dauphin is the medieval form of Delphinus. It means ‘of Delphi,’ making it a locational title.

122. David

Another last name with Hebrew origins, David means ‘beloved.’ It is used in several languages, such as Welsh, Scottish, English, French, Portuguese and has strong Biblical associations.

123. Desrouleaux

Desrouleaux is an occupational surname for a scribe. It means ‘of the scrolls’ in French.

124. Destin

Originally used as a nickname or an ornamental name, Destin has French roots. It means ‘destiny.’

125. Destine

Taken from the French word Destiné, this surname was originally used as a nickname. It means ‘destined.’

126. Dieudonne

Also written as Dieudonné in France and Haiti, this surname is derived from the same French given name. It means ‘God-given.’

127. Dor

A last name that originated from a nickname, Dor has French roots. It comes from the word d’or, which means ‘of gold.’

128. Dorsainvil

Dorsainvil is a Haitian Creole ornamental name. It’s made of the French elements D’or, which means ‘of gold,’ saint, meaning ‘holy,’ and vil, which means ‘settlement.’

129. Edmond

Edmond is used as an English and Scottish first name. It has Old English roots and means ‘rich protection.’

130. Estimé

Pronounced as ES-TEE-MAY, Estimé means ‘valued’ or ‘esteemed.’ It is also used as a French surname.

131. Fenelon

Spelled as Fénelon and Fénélon in Haiti, this surname is habitational. It is derived from Lamothe-Fénelon in Lot.

132. Fenelus

Fenelus is possibly a variant of Fenelon. It is also written as Fénélus. It could also have been used as a nickname for a haymaker.

133. Ferdinand

Ferdinand has Visigothic roots and means ‘peaceful journey.’ It is also used as a first name.

134. Gustave

Derived from the same French first name, Gustave has Scandinavian roots. It means ‘glorious guest’ in Slavic languages.

135. Jolicoeur

Jolicoeur has Old French roots and means ‘joyful heart.’ It was used originally as a nickname for a cheerful person and is now a surname in Haiti and Quebec.

136. Labonté

Labonté is derived from the French phrase la bonté, which means ‘kindness’ or ‘goodness.’ It is used as a French surname in Quebec and also a Mauritian Creole surname.

137. Lefils

Initially used as a nickname to distinguish between a father and son with the same name, Lefils has French origins. It means ‘the son.’

138. Mercure

Derived from the same given name, Mercure is a cognate of Mercurio. It has Latin origins, means ‘to trade’ or ‘wages,’ and is associated with the planet Mercury.

139. Molière

Also written as Moliere, Mollière, Maulière, and De Molière among others, this surname is habitational. It is given to people from places called La Molière in France.

140. Morissette

Morissette is derived from the French surname Morisset, which is a derivative of Maurice and Morris.

141. Pamphile

Derived from the same first name, Pamphile has Greek and Latin roots. It means ‘friend of all.’

142. Policier

Policier is an occupational name meaning ‘policeman.’ It is also used in the Caribbean.

143. Prophete

Also spelled as Prophète, this surname was used originally as a nickname. It means ‘prophet.’

144. Rigaud

Pronounced as REE-Go, this surname has Germanic origins. It means ‘powerful authority.’

145. Saint-Germain

Written variously as St Germain, Saintgermain, Saint Germain, Saint-Germaine, and St Germaine, this surname has Latin origins. It means ‘brother’ when Saint is attached to the given name Germain. It could also be a habitational title.

146. St-vil

St-vil is a habitational surname derived from a place of the same name. It is also used in the Caribbean and could be a variant of Civil.

147. Sinema

Sinema is a unique surname that means ‘cinema’ or ‘movie theater.’ It is also used as a Swahili and Turkish last name.

148. St Fleur

Also written as St. Fleur, this surname is habitational. It is derived from the place of the same name in France and means ‘flower.’

149. Sully

A habitational name, Sully is derived from several places similarly named in France. It is also used as an English surname.

150. Valentin

Derived from the same first name, Valentin means ‘strong’ and ‘healthy.’ It is used in several languages, including German, Romansh, French, and Croatian.

151. Vilsaint

A variant of Saint-Vil, this surname is found mainly in Haiti. It might be a habitational surname.

Discover More Names

When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.