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Hipster Baby Names

Hipster baby names are names that are favored by hip, stylish parents, none of whom want to be accused of using hipster names for their children. That makes hipster names a moving target — as soon as a name becomes identifiably hipster, hip parents start to avoid it.

What qualities are shared by hipster names? They're usually conventional names but never popular ones. They are quirky and edgy but may also have deep roots. Old-fashioned nickname-names, such as Sally and Sonny, often strike a hipster vibe, as do mythological names and boys' names used for girls. The letters O, Q, X, and Z are often found in hipster names, including Opal and Io, Zelma and Ziggy.

Along with Opal and Sonny, other hipster names in the US Top 1000 include Cleo, Eugene, Florence, Ira, Langston, Rudy, Stanley, and Zelda. Former hipster names that are now mainstream include Matilda and Clementine for girls, Arlo and Otto for boys.

Below, the hipster baby names most often heard around Brooklyn, Austin and Madison these days (though we can't resist pointing out that the names Brooklyn, Austin and Madison are nowhere among them).

Kip The name Kip is not just short but even styl...
Origin:American diminution of Christopher
719
Boaz

Meaning: swiftness

Origin:Hebrew
334
Stellan

Meaning: calm

Origin:Swedish, meaning unknown , possibly "calm"
214
Clement

Meaning: mild, merciful

Origin:Latin
397
Phineas

Meaning: the Nubian

Origin:English, Egyptian
196
Origin:Diminutive of Augustus, Angus, Gustave, Augustin, Augusten, Augustine, August
478
Mars A great name for both boys and girls, the me...
Origin:Roman mythology god of war
1016
Mercury

Meaning: Roman messenger god

Origin:Latin
1108
Bowie

Meaning: blond

Origin:Scottish
544
Jules

Meaning: youthful; soft, downy

Origin:French form of Latin Julius
469
Hank

Meaning: estate ruler

Origin:Diminutive of Henry, German
492
Ned

Meaning: wealthy guardian

Origin:English, diminutive of Edward
585
Ira

Meaning: watchful one

Origin:Hebrew
259
Billie

Meaning: resolute protection

Origin:English, diminutive of Wilhelmina, Wilma
409
Lou

Meaning: renowned warrior

Origin:Short form of Louise
546
Cedar

Meaning: cedar tree

Origin:English and French from Latin tree name
851
Ocean

Meaning: ocean

Origin:English, nature name
598
Nightingale

Meaning: night singer

Origin:Bird name from German
3046
Talullah

Meaning: lady of abundance

Origin:Irish, Anglicized variation of Tuilelaith
1264
Pepper

Meaning: berry

Origin:English from Latin
1369