Paste the names
One full name per line, in the order first name then surnames, or as Surname, Name.
Split full names into first name and surnames
Paste full names, one per line, and get columns for the first name and the surname or surnames, ready to paste into a spreadsheet. Names like José Luis or de la Fuente are handled.
- Free
- No sign-up
- Runs in your browser
100% private — your text is processed in your browser and never sent to any server.
How it works
Choose the surname style
Spanish style with two surnames, or a single last name.
Copy the columns
Paste them into a spreadsheet: each part lands in its own column.
One column of names, three columns of data
Databases, mail merges and forms usually want the first name and the surname in separate fields, but names often arrive in a single column: from a customer list, an event registration or a copied directory. Splitting them by hand, or with a spreadsheet formula that cuts at the first space, goes wrong quickly, because names are not that regular. This tool applies sensible rules to split a whole list at once.
What it understands
- Spanish naming: people have two surnames, so in Ana García López the first name is Ana, the first surname García and the second López. Choose the "one last name" style for names where a single family name is used.
- Particles: words such as de, del, de la, van, von, da and di stay attached to the surname they belong to, so Rodríguez de la Fuente is not cut in the middle.
- Joined surnames: Ortega y Gasset is treated as one surname.
- Compound first names: common ones such as José Luis or María José are kept together when the name has three parts.
- Surname first: a line written as García López, Ana is understood.
You can override the guess
If your list has a known pattern, for example every person has two first names, set the number of words in the first name to 1, 2 or 3 instead of leaving it on detection. The tool then applies it to every line. The result is tab-separated, with an optional header row, so it pastes straight into a spreadsheet.
Where the rules run out
Names are one of the hardest kinds of text to split with certainty. A three-part name can be one first name and two surnames, or two first names and one surname, and nothing in the text says which; the tool uses a list of common compound first names to decide and warns you how many names it had to guess. Names with four or more parts, names from other cultures where the family name comes first, and unusual particles may need a manual check. Do not use the result for legal or official records without reviewing it.
What it does not do
It does not validate that a name is real, correct spelling, change capitalisation or remove titles such as Dr. or Mr.. To fix capitalisation before or after splitting, use the case converter.
Frequently asked questions
How do I split a full name into first name and surname?
Paste the names, one per line, choose the surname style and copy the columns. Each name is split into first name and surname or surnames.
Does it handle two Spanish surnames?
Yes. With "Spanish style" selected, the last two parts are the surnames, and particles such as de la stay with their surname.
What about names like José Luis Pérez?
Common compound first names are recognised when the name has three parts, so José Luis is kept together. You can also force the number of words in the first name.
Can it read names written as Surname, Name?
Yes. A line with a comma is read as surname or surnames first, then the first name.
Why is my result wrong for some names?
Some names are ambiguous, for example three parts that could be either two first names or two surnames. The tool warns you when it had to guess.
Are my names uploaded anywhere?
No. They are split in your browser and never leave your device.
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