What does it mean if a guy gives you his last name instead of first?

[bunnyboo364]

My roommate was apart of an engineering club, and the leader had a birthday party. She didn’t know anyone really neither did I cause I wasn’t apart of the club. Anyway I met this guy and he told me his name was Smith, days later I find out that’s his last name. But then when my roommate asked for his name that same night like five times and tells her his name is Dylan. Why would he tell me his last name? I'm not a guy (I know some guys refer to each other by their last name) like what does that mean?

[front2back]

It is more traditional, especially if prior military, athletics, or something similar in organized structure, for guys to go by their surname. Now when asked repeatedly what their first name is, that is really weird if he doesn't give an answer and keeps going "Smith", which suggests to me he might just be embarrassed by his first name.

[Twalli]

My dad leased a room from my aunt and uncle before he met my mom. They knew him by his last name. So, when my mom met him, he introduced himself with his last name. My uncle (the one who he leased the room from) still calls him by his last name.

[DishLady]

Look, either he was distracted or he sees you as a pal. There's only one way to find out, which is to ask him.

You can also not be dim and just call him Dylan since you know that's his name.

[Nikki1989]

When a guy introduces himself by last name instead of first, it usually is just a style choice, and it can mean a few different things depending on his personality and the context.

[ArrowheadSW]

There might not be anything to read into it. If there was drinking involved at the party especially. It might have just been what he wanted to say at the moment.

[WhitneySnow]

That’s kind of weird, but at first glance it sounds like he likes your roommate better than you. Unless he’s one of those people who everyone knows by their last name.

[queenofcardio]

Some guys go by their last name. That's weird that he gave your roommate a different name. He could be trying to hide something

[OlderAndWiser]

Perhaps that was a signal that he wanted your relationship with him to be purely platonic.

[Jamie05rhs]

I respectfully disagree on this one. I think his family has money and he was showing off to try to impress her.

[beefcakebradybatson]

He's an old-fashioned dude. I refer to myself by my surname when speaking to strangers.

[slatyb]

Maybe that's how he likes to be addressed.