Query to select unique combination of two columns

I have a database with first and last names for a specific area.

The first name is in one column and the surname is in another column.

I am trying to pull all the unique name combinations

is there one query to do it?

Thanks

 

You can do select distinct

SELECT DISTINCT first_name, last_name FROM table ORDER BY first_name;

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Is that what you mean ?

 

The following will do this;

SELECT firstname, lastname from name GROUP by firstname,lastname;

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If you want to limit it on an area code, use something like this, wuith the appropriate area code;

 SELECT firstname, lastname from name WHERE area = '1' GROUP by firstname,lastname;

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If you want to know how many people have that name in the area;

SELECT firstname, lastname, count(*) as total from name WHERE area = '1' GROUP by firstname,lastname;

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QUESTION for @Lukeg32 I think he wants unique name combinations, wouldn't your query's just out-put them all ?

 

Nay, it will group the (like) fields together.

Consider this structure;

firstname	|	lastname	|	area
bob		|	james		|	1
harry		|	james		|	2
bob		|	james		|	1
harry		|	bert		|	1

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Running this query

SELECT firstname, lastname, count(*) as total from name WHERE area = '1' GROUP by firstname,lastname;

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Will return;

firstname	|	lastname	|	total
bob		|	james		|	2
harry		|	bert		|	1

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As you can see - the names are unique as they have been grouped together. I have just seen your post, which is another way of doing it (DISTINCT); it depends if he cares about who'd in the area

 

yeah in this case, i just want to create a list of unique names, so the first function is good for me.

Much appreciate everyone's input!