75+ Haitian Last Names (Plus Meanings & Origins)

Haitian last names reflect the cultural diversity of the island. Many surnames have French or Latin origins, which point to Haiti’s colonial past. If you’re curious to find out what surnames are used, we can help. We’ve rounded up a variety of last names taken by Haitian families. Find out what surnames are most common, unique, and more.

Different Haitian Surnames

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A visual diagram of some common Haitian last names.

Most Haitian surnames are of French or Latin origin. Many are originally French first names that serve as last names, like Pierre or Jean. Others are hyphenated saint names, like Saint-Fleur or Saint-Germain. Last names with classical Latin roots are more rare and include Calixte, Janvier, and Ulysse.

Section 1 of 7:

Common Haitian Last Names

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There are certain surnames you’re more likely to see used in Haiti. Many of these last names were some of the first to be adopted by freed slaves after the Haitian Revolution. Joseph, Pierre, and Louis are some of the most popular.
- Jean: “God is gracious”
- Pierre: Peter; “rock” or “stone”
- Joseph: “God will increase”
- Louis: “Famous in battle”
- Charles: “Man” or “husband”
- Francois: “Frenchman”
- Paul: “Small”
- Michel: “Who is like God?”
- Baptiste: “Baptist”
- Etienne: “Crown”
- Augustin: “Magnificent”
- Alexandre: “Defender of mankind”
- Auguste: “Great”
- Chery: “Darling”
- Fils-Aime: “Loved son”
- Laguerre: “War”
- Marcelin: “Little warrior”
- Moise: French for Moses
- Pierre-Louis: “Peter/rock” and “famous in battle”
- Jean-Baptiste: “God is gracious” and “baptist”
- Saint-Fleur: “Holy flower”
- Sanon: “Gift from God”
- Toussaint: “All saints”
- Jules: “Youthful”
- Felix: “Fortunate”

Section 2 of 7:

Unique Haitian Last Names

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Blanc, Guerrier, and Solomon are more rare Haitian last names. Although they’re not widely adopted, they have interesting meanings attached to them. Some are linked to love, peace, and the divine.
- Antoine: “Highly praiseworthy”
- Benoit: “Blessed”
- Blanc: Refers to a person with white hair or a fair complexion
- Casimir: “Destroyer of peace”
- Buisson: “”Bush scrub”
- Guerrier: Name for a soldier
- Guillaume: French for William
- Mondesir: “My desire”
- Philippe: “Lover of horses”
- Solomon: “Man of peace”
- Metellus: Ancient Roman name; meaning unknown
- Aimé: “Loved” or love”
- Barthelemy: “Son of Talmai”
- Compere: “Godfather”
- Dauphin: “Of Delphi”
- Desrouleaux: “Of the scrolls”
- Dorsainvil: “Of gold,” “saint,” and “settlement”
- Lefils: “The son”
- Gustave: “Glorious guest”
- Jolicoeur: “Joyful heart”
- Labonte: “Kindness” or “goodness”
- Mercure: “To trade” or “wages”
- Pamphile: “Friend of all”
- Rigaud: “Powerful authority”
- Saint-Germain: Honors Christian saints, like Saint Germain of Paris

Section 3 of 7:

Latin-Inspired Haitian Last Names

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Haitian surnames with Latin origins are inspired by ancient history. These last names have roots in classical Greek and Roman culture. Casseus, Orelus, and Ulysses are a few examples.
- Altidore: “High” or “lofty”
- Blaise: “Lisping”
- Calixte: “The most beautiful”
- Casseus: “Empty” or “vain”
- Celestin: “Heavenly”
- Hilaire: “Cheerful”
- Innocent: “Harmless”
- Janvier: “Covered passage”
- Mathurin: “Ripe” or “mature”
- Orelus: “Golden” or “gilded”
- Sylvain: “Forest” or “wood”
- Ulysse: Possibly a variation of the name of the Greek hero Odysseus

Section 4 of 7:

First Name-Based Haitian Last Names

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It’s common to see Haitian last names that come from first names. This was mainly done when freed slaves began to take on surnames to distinguish their families. A few examples are Camille, Ferdinand, and Eugene.
- Brutus: “Heavy”
- Denis: “Follower of Dionysus”
- Camille: “Young ceremonial attendant”
- Edmond: “Rich protection”
- Ferdinand: “Peaceful journey”
- Valentin: “Strong” or “healthy”
- Eugene: “Well-born” or “noble”
- Jeanty: Inspired by the first name “Jean”; “noble” or “generous”
- Jerome: “Sacred name”
- Marcellus: Derived from the first name Marcus; associated with the Roman god Mars

Section 5 of 7:

Famous Haitian Last Names

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Are you curious to know the last names of famous Haitians? The following list includes the last names of notable individuals who are of Haitian descent. Take a look!
- Louverture: Surname of Toussaint Louverture, one of the leaders of the Haitian Revolution.
- Dessalines: Surname of Jean-Jacques Dessalines who became emperor of the Haitian empire for a time.
- Jean: Surname of Wyclef Jean, one of the members of the 90s hip-hop group, The Fugees.
- Beauvais: Surname of Garcelle Beauvais, a famous Haitian actress.

Section 6 of 7:

Origins of Haitian Surnames

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Many Haitian last names derive from French colonizers. The French began establishing colonies in Haiti during the 17th century. Although African slaves didn’t have last names initially, that changed once slavery was abolished after the Haitian Revolution. Freed individuals began adopting surnames, which were usually a type of French first name. This is why many Haitian families have last names, like Jean, Pierre, or Louis.^{[1]
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- Some Haitians have French blood, so there are also traditional French surnames that are commonly seen, such as Laguerre, Moreau, or Lacroix.

Section 7 of 7:

Learn More About Last Names

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If you find last names fascinating, we have more content for you! We have a last name generator if you’re interested in coming up with your own surname. We also have articles sharing a variety of last names from across the globe. Here are a few to get you started:

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