Abstract：With the development of society, economy, technology, travel, and immigration, people can contact more frequently day by day. Nowadays, in order to adapt ourselves to a new change and new culture quickly and easily, many people would like to choose an English name for themselves. Therefore, to have some knowledge of English names is very necessary. This research paper may help people appreciate other country's culture and understand better the English names. This thesis simply analyses the origin of surnames, the way people name, the meaning of some names and titles. It may help English learners to avoid blindness, arbitrariness, even embarrassment when they want to choose themselves English names and when they are communicating with foreigners.
Key words： Surname; Given name; Nickname
中文摘要：随着社会，经济，技术，旅游和移民的发展，人们交往日益频繁。当今世界，为了适应不断更新的文化，许多人喜欢为自己选一个英文名字。因此，掌握一些英文名字的知识是很必要的，这种研究有助于人们欣赏其他国家的文化和更好的理解英文名字。论文简要分析了姓氏的起源，命名，含义及称谓。有助于英语初学者避免盲目性和任意性，甚至避免在与外国人交往中出现难堪。
关键词：姓氏；名字；绰号
