How to Make Last Names Plural
Making a last name plural can be confusing for many people, especially when it comes to sending holiday cards, addressing invitations, or writing about multiple members of the same family. However, the rules for pluralizing last names in English are straightforward once you know the basics. This guide will walk you through the correct way to pluralize a last name, including names that end in different letters, and common mistakes to avoid.
Table of Contents
The Basic Rule of Making a Last Name Plural
To make most last names plural, simply add -s to the end of the name. This rule applies to last names that do not end in s, x, z, ch, or sh.
Example:
- Smith becomes the Smiths
- Brown becomes the Browns
- Johnson becomes the Johnsons
In these examples, adding an -s to the end of the name indicates that you are referring to multiple members of the family.
Last Names That End in -s, -x, -z, -ch, or -sh
If the last name ends in s, x, z, ch, or sh, you make it plural by adding -es. This is because adding just -s would make pronunciation difficult, so the -es makes the plural form easier to say.
Examples:
- Jones becomes the Joneses
- Fox becomes the Foxes
- Martinez becomes the Martinezes
- Church becomes the Churches
- Bush becomes the Bushes
In these cases, the -es makes the plural form sound more natural and helps avoid awkward pronunciation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Don’t Use Apostrophes to Make a Last Name Plural
One of the most common mistakes people make when pluralizing a last name is adding an apostrophe. An apostrophe should not be used to make a last name plural. Apostrophes are used to show possession, not plurals.
Incorrect:
- The Smith’s
- The Brown’s
- The Jones’s Correct:
- The Smiths
- The Browns
- The Joneses Tip: Remember that apostrophes are only for showing possession or contractions, not for making a name plural.
2. Don’t Change the Spelling of the Last Name
When making a last name plural, you should not change the spelling of the name itself. Simply follow the rules for adding -s or -es as needed, but leave the original spelling of the name intact.
Incorrect:
- The Murphies (for the Murphy family)
- The Kennedies (for the Kennedy family) Correct:
- The Murphys
- The Kennedys In these examples, the spelling of the last name should remain the same, and only the -s or -es is added to make the name plural.
How to Handle Plural Possessive Last Names
If you need to show possession for multiple people with the same last name, you’ll need to make the name plural first and then add an apostrophe after the plural form.
Examples:
- The Browns’ house (the house belonging to the Brown family)
- The Foxes’ car (the car belonging to the Fox family)
- The Joneses’ party (the party hosted by the Jones family)
In these cases, the apostrophe comes after the plural form of the name, indicating that something belongs to the entire family.
Summary of Rules for Making a Last Name Plural:
- For most last names, add -s:
Smith becomes the Smiths, Brown becomes the Browns. - For last names ending in -s, -x, -z, -ch, or -sh, add -es:
Jones becomes the Joneses, Fox becomes the Foxes. - Avoid using apostrophes to make last names plural:
The Johnsons, not the Johnson’s. - Keep the spelling of the last name the same when making it plural:
The Murphys, not the Murphies.
Conclusion
Pluralizing last names is a simple process once you understand the basic rules. Whether you’re addressing a holiday card, writing a wedding invitation, or referring to a family in conversation, following these rules ensures that you pluralize last names correctly and avoid common mistakes.
By remembering to add -s or -es as needed and avoiding apostrophes, you’ll be well on your way to writing grammatically correct names in any context.
