Choosing baby names can be tricky, especially if there are lots of options.
Hipsters have always had an interest in breaking social norms. With their beards, flannel shirts, and craft beers, the hipsters are free spirits who enjoy life to its fullest. Surely they’re aspects you’d want to include in your baby’s name.
The list below includes some popular names among hipsters as well as other trendy choices and their baby name meanings. If you like any of these names share them on your social platforms to spread the word!
Tip of the day
After you finally decided on the baby’s name, many parents order a wooden sign with all of its letters and make it into something special for their nurseries.
If you haven’t decided yet, here are a few more related articles with all kinds of unique baby names to help you decide:
ELVIS
This name is 100 percent American, baby! Elvis is an American creation, made popular by — as most would guess it — the king himself. Surprisingly, the name has stayed popular throughout the decades. It was the 600th most popular baby name in the US in 2007 but it fell off the charts in 2012. Much like the musician of the same name, this is one title that will never go out of style.
BEATRIX
This little one is made to be happy! Beatrix, from the Latin beatus, means “happy” or “she who brings happiness.” The name has never ranked in the top 1,000 US baby names, making it truly hipster. Some famous Beatrixes were Beatrix Potter, who wrote the Peter Rabbit books, and Uma Thurman’s character in Kill Bill, Beatrix Kiddo.
ARLO
A name for the folk lovers out there! Arlo had a small blip of popularity from the 1900s–1930s, though it never topped any US baby name lists. The most popular Arlo is Arlo Guthrie, son of folk legend Woody Guthrie, who was known for making protest music. Far out, man!
MAGNOLIA
What’s old is new again! Originally popular in the late 1800s, Magnolia is due for a comeback. Like the flower from which it gets its name, Magnolia is a floral and pretty name that nature lovers are sure to covet.
EDISON
Possibly one of the most recognizable names in science. Edison, meaning “Edie’s son” in Old English, was the last name of Thomas Edison, inventor of the light bulb, the telegraph, and the phonograph (among many other inventions). As a name, Edison was wildly popular in the 1800s, fell off the charts in the early 1900s, and roared back to life in the 2010s. In 2018, it was the 536th most popular name in the US. Electric!
TALLULAH
A quirky name with a Native American heritage, Tallulah is a Choctaw name meaning “jumping water.” It’s also the name of Demi Moore’s and Bruce Willis’ youngest daughter, as well as the name of actress Tallulah Bankhead. The name has never ranked in the top 1,000 US baby names, but with all these celeb sightings, it seems that’s about to change.
OTIS
A sweet little name for a little ragamuffin! Otis, meaning “wealth” or “fortune” in German, is a popular name among celebrities. Take, for instance, singer Otis Redding, Otis the dog from Milo & Otis, and even the son of Jason Sudeikis and Olivia Wilde. Oh, baby!
CALLIE
Callie (pronounced “KAH-lee,” not “KAY-lee”) has had a resurgence in popularity in recent years. Parents might associate the name with Callie Shaw from the Hardy Boys novels, the character Callie on Grey’s Anatomy, or Calliope (the Greek goddess of epic poetry). Callie was also the name of the protagonist in the Jeffrey Eugenides’ novel Middlesex. So many cool associations.
CALVIN
This is a name perfect for baby boys! Calvin is a derivative of the name calvinus meaning “little bald one.” The name has always been on the radar in the US, but it’s not nearly as popular now as it used to be in the early 1900s, when it peaked as the 80th most popular name in the US in 1920. Possible nicknames for Calvin are Cal, Vinny, or Calvie.
FALLON
No, this isn’t a trend started by Jimmy Fallon. Fallon, which is mostly used as a girl’s name but sounds totally gender neutral to us, was actually an Irish surname that came from the Gaelic follamhnus, meaning supremacy. It was also the name of one of the lead characters on the soapy ’70s drama Dynasty, so it’s got “vintage” cred.
ROSCOE
Here’s a name that’s truly old-fashioned. Roscoe was once a popular last name in England, but has since transitioned to first name status. It is a composition of the Norse words rá (meaning “a roe deer”) and skógr (meaning “a wood”). How’s that for a rustic baby name?
EDIE
Edie — like Sedgwick, the infamous muse of Andy Warhol — can be used as a standalone or as a nickname for Edith meaning “prosperous in war.” We think both are fashionable choices, but although Edith has enjoyed long-term popularity, Edie peaked in the ’60s and has since become more obscure. That makes it ripe for the hipster picking.
MILLER
Miller, a common last name, means “one who works in a mill,” in German. It also has become a popular first name, spiking in popularity in 2014. The name works for a boy or a girl, though it is more often used for boys. There are also plenty of famous Millers to look to: writer Arthur Miller, Stella McCartney’s son Miller Willis, and David Duchovny and Tea Leoni have a Miller of their own. (Their son’s name is Kyd Miller.)
MAE
A pet name of Mary and Margaret, Mae has become a popular name in its own right. Loosely meaning “pearl,” Mae is often used as a middle name, but actress Mae West made it popular as a first name. Another famous Mae, with some cool hipster leanings, is the actress Mae Whitman.
HOLDEN
The ultimate hipster novel is almost certainly Catcher in the Rye. Holden Caulfeld, the narrator, is a teenage boy who is both disenchanted and disillusioned with the outside world. Interestingly, Holden has remained steadily popular throughout several decades. It’s been trending upwards since the 1800s!
PIPER
Piper has only recently become a popular name in the US, perhaps thanks to a little show called Orange Is the New Black. Originally an English and Scandinavian name, Piper means “one who plays the pipe.” Cute nicknames for Piper are Pipes, Pippa, or Pepper. Sweet!
DUKE
This name has a little bit of a royal flair. Duke, from the title granted to an English noblemen who ranks just below a prince, is a strong name for a special little guy! Think jazz musician Duke Ellington and John “the Duke” Wayne. It really doesn’t get any cooler than that.
FRANKIE
A derivative of the name Frank, Frankie is a cute gender neutral name that is particularly charming on a little girl. The name refers to both the French Franc and the German Frank, derived from the word for a type of spear, franco. It’s perfect for a sharp-witted little tomboy!
MATTEO
If mom and dad are tired of the name Matthew, they should turn to this version. Matteo is a derivative of the Latin Matthaeus and the Ecclesiastic Greek Matthaios. It is also derived from the Hebrew Mattiyah meaning “gift of God.” Although Matthew has been wildly popular throughout history, Matteo just entered the top 1,000 US baby names in 2012. Get it while it’s hot!
NOLA
Nola is a name with an interesting history. Both a city in Italy and a nickname for New Orleans, Nola is actually a nickname for Eleanor, which comes from the Greek word Helene, meaning “light.” The name was hugely popular throughout the late 1800s and early to mid 1900s, before falling off the radar. But as of the early 2000s, the name is back and on the rise.
RYDER
We think this name is totally cool. Ryder, from the Old English Ridere, means “knight” or “mounted warrior.” It also has only been getting more popular since the ’90s! Famous Ryders include Ryder Robinson (son of Kate Hudson) and ’90s heartthrob Rider Strong.
RHIANNON
Hipsters love Stevie Nicks — that’s just a fact. That means our readers might like the name Rhiannon, after the popular song by Fleetwood Mac. In Celtic mythology, Rhiannon is the goddess of fertility, though some believe it is actually derived from the word Rigantona, meaning “great queen.” This name is still fairly rare but it won’t be for long.
VAN
Beep, beep! Here comes little Van! No, not like the automobile; Van like the English surname that has quickly become a popular first name. Van comes from the Middle English Vanne and the French Van, meaning a “winnowing machine.” Our readers probably have seen Van as an element of some last names, but clearly this cool moniker is ready to take center stage.
JUNIPER
What a sweet little name! Juniper is the name of an evergreen shrub that grows berries that are used to make gin. It’s also the name of the beloved children’s book character Juniper “Junie” B. Jones. Another cool nickname for Juniper is Juno, much like the indie hit film of the same name.
CORMAC
One might be most familiar with this name because of Cormac McCarthy, the famous novelist and author of The Road and No Country for Old Men. Cormac is actually a popular Irish name, though its meaning is a little uncertain. Some claim it means “charioteer” whereas others believe it means “son of defilement.” So mysterious!
PRUE
Short for Prudence, Prue is sweet and charming in its own way. Prudence means “cautious” and “intelligent,” just like the most well-known Prue, one of the Halliwell sisters from Charmed.
ACE
A classic newspaper reporter or photographer nickname, Ace is a breath of fresh air. It’s also a word associated with being first, the best, ranking the highest … well, one can get the picture. Like a lot of names on this list, Ace was popular in the 1800s and went dormant until the 2010s, where it came back in force. What can we say? Hipsters have excellent taste in classic names.
LIVI
A derivative of Olivia, meaning “olive tree,” Livi is a cool, hip, fresh-sounding name. We can just imagine her future career in a graphic design. Stay cool, Livi!
JUDD
Originally a pet name for Jordan, Judd means “descending” or “flowing down.” Judd had a quick spike of popularity in the ’70s, but for the most part has stayed under the radar. Sounds like just the type of obscure baby name that hipsters love!
SIMONE
Sophisticated and a little French-sounding, Simone is actually a Hebrew name meaning “heard.” Famous Simones include feminist philosopher Simone de Beauvoir, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, and iconic singer Nina Simone. A chic name for a chic little girl!
WATSON
It’s elementary, my dear Watson! Watson is a cool and understated last name that is bound to make the transition to first name status. The name enjoyed a long period of popularity decades ago but it hasn’t yet cracked the top 1,000 baby names in the 2000s or 2010s. It’s classic yet fresh, familiar yet distinctive — it’s got everything it takes to become pure hipster gold.
LUNA
Derived from the Latin word for “moon,” Luna is a mystical name. If parents are interested in astrology, Luna is also an alternative name for Cancer, whose sign is ruled by the moon. There are many famous Lunas, including Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter and Luna the cat from Sailor Moon; even John Legend and Chrissy Teigen have a little Luna of their own!
JONES
Another last name being used as a cool first name! Jones is most certainly a popular American last name, but many folks may not know that it had a run of popularity for being a first name from the 1880s to 1910. Guess one could say this name is vintage.
STELLA
Stella is the Latin word for star, which is fitting because this name is fabulous! There is a theory that the name Stella has been used in England since the year 1374, but the name really became popularized in the poem by Sir Philip Sidney called Astrophel and Stella. Shine bright, little Stella!
COLTON
This name is blowing up, fast! Colton was virtually unheard of before 1970 but has since exploded in popularity. Perhaps it’s because Colton is a sturdy, solid name that doesn’t sound too old-fashioned; perhaps it’s because of celebrities such as Colton Haynes. We can’t be too sure — all we know is, Colton is awesome!
CLEMENTINE
In the words of the song, Oh, my darling Clementine! The ultimate in hipster baby girl names, Clementine is twee and precious. Clementine is actually the feminine form of Clement — the boys’ name — and the Latin clemens meaning “mild, gentle.”
HUCK
A shortened form of Huckleberry, Huck is truly for those who want some literary credentials. Huckleberry Finn, protagonist of the Mark Twain novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is one of the most classic characters in US literature. And anyone who shares this moniker is sure to be adventurous, whip smart, and full of spirit. Sweet little Huck!
SIA
Possibly the coolest pop star on the planet right now is the Australian singer Sia. Sia (pronounced “SEE-uh”) is a Swedish name, derived from the word for “victory.” The name has never ranked in the top 1,000 US baby names, but we have a feeling it’s about to climb the charts just like the pop superstar of the same name. Victory, indeed.
BYRON
If a mama is a fan of romantic poetry, Byron — like Lord Byron — is a classic name. It comes from the Old English phrase aet byrum, meaning “at the cowsheds.” Hmm, well that’s not very romantic, is it?
CECILY
This is such a pretty name. Derived from the Latin word caecus, meaning “blind” or “dim-sighted,” Cecily was also the name of a third-century Christian who founded a church in the Trastevere section of Rome. The Catholic church considered her a martyr, and she is known as the patron saint of musicians.
BECKETT
Avant-garde writer Samuel Beckett may be responsible for this hipster reference point. As a name, Beckett means “dweller near the brook.” Good options for nicknames include Bex, Becks, or Kit. Too cute!
WREN
Hey, little Wren! An Old English name, Wren (pronounced “REHN”) comes from the word wroenna. Wrens are also pretty cute little songbirds. Adorable!
SANFORD
Anyone who is looking for cute baby names will sure love this one, Sanford is another last name that has become popular for first names. In fact, in the early 1900s it was an incredibly popular first name, though it has since dipped in popularity. This name is a total diamond in the rough!
BLAIRE
Blaire was originally a Scottish last name from the Gaelic word blar, meaning “dweller on the plain.” Admittedly the most popular Blaire seems to be Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl, but we think that just adds to its sophisticated charm.
LUCA
These cool baby names are very popular all over the world! Making the top baby lists in Australia, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Belgium (to name just a few), Luca clearly is a winner. The root of Luca is the Latin word lux, meaning “light,” though some believe the name comes from the Greek Loukas, meaning “man who comes from Lucania.” Either way, Luca rocks!
ISLA
Pronounced “EYE-la,” Isla has been steadily gaining in popularity since the 1990s, but only recently become well-known due to actress Isla Fisher. Globally, Isla is a popular name in Scotland, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia. Now that’s a name with international appeal!
BEAR
Bear is, of course, a name taken from the animal, but we really like how trendy it has become. And it perfectly fits a cuddly little fellow. Of course, the most famous Bear is Running Wild’s Bear Grylls, but it just so happens that One Direction member Liam Payne named his baby Bear Payne. Give it a try — we think Bear is just too cute!
MABEL
A sweet, Southern-inspired name, Mabel is as cute as it gets! This is one of those classic names that fell out of fashion in the ’90s and is now back to dominate in a new generation. Mabel has many nicknames, including May, Maisie, Mabie, and Mabs. It also is the name of Bruce Willis and Emma Heming’s oldest daughter, Mabel Willis.
JACK
Yes, we hear ya, this name could be a little basic. But don’t rule it out just yet. Jack, a pet name of John, is also one of the most popular names internationally, meaning that no matter where one goes, people will know how to pronounce this baby’s name. Think about it: Jack Nicholson, Jack Kennedy, Jack Sparrow — those are some freakin’ cool Jacks!
ALDEN
Such an interesting name for a little girl! Alden, from the Old English Aldwine, means “old friend.” That, plus the cool gender-neutral vibes, makes this an excellent choice to add to a baby-name list.