How to pronounce surname
Say it like SUR-naym. Surname has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce surname. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SUR
- naym
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Surname pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- naymGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of surname
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SUR-naym.
What does surname mean?
- the name used to identify the members of a family (as distinguished from each member's given name)
Where does surname come from?
Inherited from Middle English surname, a partial calque of Old French surnum, surnoun (“surname; nickname”) (whence Middle English surnoun), from Late Latin supernōmen, suprānōmen (“surname”), from super- (“over, above, beyond”) and nōmen (
Questions about saying surname
How do you pronounce surname?
Say SUR-naym. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɝˌneɪm/. In British English it is /ˈsɜːˌneɪm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in surname?
Surname has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR). Broken into parts: SUR · naym.
Is surname pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈsɜːˌneɪm/ (SUR-naym).