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Possessives of Plural Names

Neha Karve

Updated September 21, 2023

To form the possessive of a plural family name, simply place an apostrophe after the s that makes the plural, as you would for any other plural noun.

Possessives of plural family names

The possessive form of a plural name may be needed to refer to something owned by or associated to an entire family. Family names are generally pluralized by adding s (including names ending in Y or a vowel like A, I, or U). The possessive is then formed by placing an apostrophe after the s that forms the plural.

With a name ending in S, X, Z, or other sibilant sound, add es instead of s to form the plural—for example, Jones becomes Joneses. Then form the possessive by adding an apostrophe after the final s.

Form the plural of a name ending in a silent S as well by adding es (not just an s). Then form its possessive by placing an apostrophe after the final s, as with any other name.

Names ending in a silent X are trickier. Plurals of names that end in a non-silent or pronounced X are formed by adding es rather than s (Hendrix → Hendrixes). However, plurals of names ending in a silent, unpronounced X, such as many French names, are formed by adding just s (Babineaux → Babineauxs). The possessive is then formed as usual by placing an apostrophe at the end of the plural.

The plural of a name ending in ch can be formed either by adding s or es, depending on how the name is pronounced. If the name ends with a soft “ch” sound, add es to form the plural (March → Marches). But if the name ends in a hard “ch” sound, add just s to form the plural (Bach → Bachs). Then add the apostrophe after the final s as usual to form the possessive.

Possessives of plural names of countries and places

To form the possessive of a country or place name that is plural (e.g., the United States) place an apostrophe after the s that makes the plural.