Cajun culture is a vibrant, resilient, and distinct thread in the American tapestry. Born from the tragic expulsion of the Acadian people from Canada’s maritime provinces in the 18th century, the Cajun identity found its heart in the bayous, prairies, and marshes of South Louisiana. In 2026, we see a massive resurgence in “Deep South Regionalism,” as writers and historians look to the unique linguistic blend of Acadian French, Spanish, and Caribbean influences that define the region.
Cajun surnames are more than just labels; they are a roadmap of survival and cultural fusion. Whether you are naming a protagonist in a swamp-bound mystery, a chef in a New Orleans-based drama, or researching your own “Le Grand Dérangement” ancestry, this A-Z guide for 191+ Cajun last names with meanings offers the ultimate linguistic immersion.
Cultural Roadmap: From the “Cajun Heartlands” of Lafayette and Houma, these names carry the history of a people who turned exile into a celebration of life.
A – Names for the Ancient and Arriving
Abshire – Of the shire.
Achée – Vine or Worm.
Albarado – From the white place.
Allemand – The German.
Allain – Handsome or Cheerful.
Amédée – Lover of God.
Ancelet – Angel or Messenger.
Arceneaux – Chest-maker or Arsenal keeper.
Ardoin – Hard friend or Strong protector.
Arsement – Charcoal maker.
Aucoin – At the corner.
Authement – Highly or Dignified.
Ayala – Slope or Hillside.
B to G – Names for the Bayou and the Brave
Babineaux – One who babbles.
Badeaux – Gazer or One who waits.
Barrios – Neighborhoods or Outskirts.
Basile – Royal or King-like.
Baudoin – Bold friend.
Beausoleil – Beautiful sun.
Begnaud – Dweller near water.
Bélanger – Strong spear.
Benoit – Blessed.
Bergeron – Little shepherd.
Bernard – Brave as a bear.
Bertrand – Bright raven.
Bessard – Dual or Double.
Bijeaux – Jewels.
Blanchard – White or Fair.
Bodin – Shelter or Messenger.
Bonin – Good little one.
Boudreaux – Farmer or Messenger.
Bourg – Town dweller.
Bourque – Fortress.
Boutte – End or Limit.
Breaux – Marsh or Swampy ground.
Broussard – Brushwood or Bush-dweller.
Caillier – Pebble or Stony ground.
Castille – Castle (Spanish influence).
Champagne – From the open fields.
Charpentier – Carpenter.
Chauvin – Bald.
Chiasson – Hunter or Pursuer.
Clément – Merciful.
Comeaux – From the valley.
Constantin – Steadfast.
Cormier – Service tree.
Courville – Curved town.
Daigle – From the eagle.
Dardar – To dart (Native/Cajun blend).
Darby – Deer park.
Daspit – Spite or Defiance.
DeRouen – From Rouen, France.
Delahoussaye – From the holly grove.
Derouen – From the red place.
Ditch – Dweller by the canal.
Domingue – Of the Lord.
Doucet – Sweet or Gentle.
Dronet – Straight or Upright.
Dugas – From the wasteland.
Duhon – From the high place.
Dumesnil – From the small manor.
Duplechin – Double or Twin.
Dupont – At the bridge.
Dupre – From the meadow.
Dupuis – From the well.
Durand – Enduring.
Durel – Hard or Strong.
Esprit – Spirit.
Esteve – Crown.
Fabre – Smith.
Falcon – Falconer.
Faulk – People’s power.
Fischer – Fisherman (German Coast).
Fontenot – Little fountain or Spring.
Foret – Forest.
Foucher – Folk warrior.
Fournier – Baker.
Foux – Fox.
Frilot – Shiver or Cold place.
Fuselier – Rifleman or Gunner.
Gagne – To win or To farm.
Galland – Cheerful or Gallant.
Gaspard – Treasurer.
Gautreaux – From the woods.
Gervais – Spear servant.
Girouard – Spear protector.
Gonsoulin – Consolation.
Gossen – The son.
Gravois – Gravel or Pebbles.
Gros – Large or Big.
Guidry – Forest guide.
Guillory – Golden ruler.
H to M – Names for the Hardy and Industrious
Hargrave – Grove of the hares.
Hebert – Bright army.
Hidalgo – Noble (Spanish influence).
Hulin – Holly.
Huval – High valley.
Istre – The star.
Janise – God is gracious.
Jeansonne – Son of Jean.
Jolivette – Pretty or Joyful.
Juneau – Young.
Klingman – Man of the blade.
Labbe – The Abbot.
Laborde – The small farm.
Lacombe – The valley.
Lafayette – Beech grove.
Lafleur – The flower.
Lagneaux – The lamb.
Lagrave – The gravel.
Landreneau – From the Landry house.
Landry – Land ruler.
Lanclos – The enclosure.
Langlinais – The Englishman.
Langlois – The Englishman.
Lantier – Maker of lances.
Latiolais – From the oily place.
Lavergne – The alder tree.
LeBlanc – The white or The fair.
LeBoeuf – The ox.
LeJeune – The young.
LeMaire – The mayor.
LeMoine – The monk.
Leger – Light or Nimble.
Lormand – The Norman.
Louviere – Wolf-catcher.
Malveaux – Bad valley.
Marceaux – Little Mark.
Martin – Of Mars or Warlike.
Mayeux – Of the month of May.
Meaux – From Meaux, France.
Melancon – The melancholy.
Menard – Strong power.
Mercier – Merchant.
Meunier – Miller.
Miguez – Son of Miguel.
Mire – Marsh or Bog.
Monier – Moneyer or Cointer.
Mouton – Sheep (Shepherd).
N to R – Names for the Noble and Resilient
Naquin – Little Nathan.
Nezat – Dwarf or Small.
Noel – Christmas.
Olivier – Olive tree.
Oubre – Rich or Noble.
Parent – Relative or Ancestor.
Patout – Little paws.
Pellerin – Pilgrim.
Peltier – Furrier or Skinner.
Petitjean – Little John.
Picard – From Picardy, France.
Pitre – Stone or Baker.
Plaisance – Pleasant place.
Poche – Pocket.
Prejean – Before John or Near John.
Prevost – Provost or Overseer.
Primeaux – Firstborn.
Provencher – From Provence.
Quibodeaux – The one who hides.
Rabalais – To scrub or Worker.
Rachal – Ewe or Lamb.
Rambin – Bright.
Regis – King.
Reine – Queen.
Renaud – Powerful advisor.
Ringuet – To ring or The bellman.
Riviere – River.
Robichaux – Little Robert.
Roger – Famous spear.
Romero – Pilgrim.
Roy – King.
S to Z – Names for the Spirited and Sincere
Saunier – Salt merchant.
Savoie – From Savoy, France.
Schexnayder – Tailor (German Coast).
Segura – Secure or Safe.
Simon – The listener.
Soileau – Small willow.
Sonnier – Bell ringer.
St. Germain – House of Germanus.
Stelly – Star.
Talbot – Command of the valley.
Theriot – The wild one or Hunter.
Thibodeaux – People’s prince.
Touchett – Little grove.
Toups – Top or Tuft of hair.
Trahan – Silk-spinner or Worker.
Vasseur – Vassal.
Veillon – Watcher.
Verret – Glass-maker.
Vidrine – Clear or Luminous.
Vigneaux – Vineyard.
Vincent – Conquering.
When writing a character of Cajun descent, working with a culture that values faith, family, and food is essential. The naming convention often reflects these pillars.
- The Power of the “O” Suffix: Many names end in a phonetic “O” sound, often spelled -eaux, -eau, or -aux (e.g., Boudreaux). This instantly sets the bayou tone.
- The Cultural Blend: German influence (Schexnayder) and Spanish influence (Romero) show how Louisiana became a historic melting pot.
- Occupational Identity: Ancestral vocations are visible in names like Saunier (Salt merchant), Trahan (Silk spinner), and Fournier (Baker).
Why do so many Cajun names end in “-eaux”?
It is a French pluralization and a stylistic spelling that became standard in Louisiana, originally used to make names look more “formal.”
What is the most common Cajun last name?
Hebert and Landry are among the most numerous across the Cajun Heartlands of Lafayette and Houma.
Are Cajuns and Creoles the same?
No. Cajuns are descendants of Acadians from Canada. Creoles refer to descendants of original French/Spanish settlers with a mix of African and Caribbean heritage.
