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We all know that hipsters have the best insider knowledge. We can make fun all we want, but when it comes down to it, hipsters are tastemakers. They know the best music, clothes, books, movies, types of plant-based milks, all before everyone else does. And this is even true for baby names! That's right, we said it: Hipsters know good baby names. Because they have a thorough knowledge of all things unusual and interesting -- not to mention some incredibly large record collections -- hipsters are definitely the people we want to go to when it comes to coming up with an unusual, beautiful name for a business or to create a book title. And although we may not initially think it, that hipster knowledge also extends to baby names, where hipsters can let their freak flags fly. From this hipster boom has come a revival of classic and cool names, as well as dozens of new names that parents can grab before they're hot on the charts.
Folks may not want to cement their hipster status by declaring themselves as official members of this organic granola-munching tribe, but the truth is, hipsters are pretty mainstream now. In fact, in a study done in 2013, 50 percent of millennials identified as hipsters, and that number has only grown! Why delay the inevitable and miss out on some ultra cool and totally one-of-a-kind baby names in the process? Want to be in with the cool crowd? Or maybe pick baby names worthy of starting a family band? With the help of BabyNameWizard.com, we found 80 of the coolest boy and girl baby names for all those future baby hipsters. So grab a baby blue bicycle, a handlebar mustache, and possibly an underground polka band that others have "probably never heard of," and scroll through to check out these adorably obscure and oh-so-hip baby names. And if these don't seem quite hip enough, take a peek at modern baby names for parents who want to stay ahead of the trends and old-fashioned nicknames for girls that make charming first names, which are unusual enough to be very cool.
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ELVIS
1iStock.com/AleksandarNakicThis 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.
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BEATRIX
2Rohappy/ShutterstockThis 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.
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ARLO
3iStock.com/Denis MoskvinovA 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!
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MAGNOLIA
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EDISON
5iStock.com/SeanShotPossibly 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!
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TALLULAH
6iStock.com/deucee_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.
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OTIS
7leungchopan/ShutterstockA 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!
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CALLIE
8iStock.com/FluxFactoryCallie (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.
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CALVIN
9iStock.com/Katie_MartynovaThis 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.
More from CafeMom: 30 Nicknames That Make Better First Names
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FALLON
10iStock.com/ChristinLolaNo, 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.
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ROSCOE
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EDIE
12iStock.com/AS photo studioEdie -- 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.
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MILLER
13iStock.com/sihuo0860371Miller, 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.)
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MAE
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HOLDEN
15Veneta Ruseva/ShutterstockThe 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!
More from CafeMom: 21 Popular British Baby Boy Names Perfect for a Charming Little Gent
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PIPER
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DUKE
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FRANKIE
18iStock.com/vvvitaA 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!
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MATTEO
19iStock.com/wundervisualsIf 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!
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NOLA
20iStock.com/lostinbidsNola 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.
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RYDER
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RHIANNON
22Bartosz Budrewicz/ShutterstockHipsters 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.
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VAN
23iStock.com/Weekend Images Inc.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.
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JUNIPER
24Pixel Prose Images/ShutterstockWhat 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.
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CORMAC
25iStock.com/beconOne 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!
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PRUE
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ACE
27Jaengpeng/ShutterstockA 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.
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LIVI
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JUDD
29Katrina Elena/ShutterstockOriginally 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!
More from CafeMom: 30 of the Most Gender-Neutral Baby Names in America Right Now
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SIMONE
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WATSON
31Eugene Partyzan/ShutterstockIt'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.
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LUNA
32Anton Sterkhov/ShutterstockDerived 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!
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JONES
33marina shin/ShutterstockAnother 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.
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STELLA
34MIA Studio/ShutterstockStella 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!
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COLTON
35iStock.com/freemixerThis 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!
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CLEMENTINE
36Arvydas Kniuksta/ShutterstockIn 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."
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HUCK
37iStock.com/NARONGRITA 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!
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SIA
38iStock.com/ChristinLolaPossibly 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.
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BYRON
39HiddenCatch/ShutterstockIf 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?
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CECILY
40OlScher/ShutterstockThis 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.
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BECKETT
41iStock.com/olesiabilkeiAvant-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!
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WREN
42iStock.com/druvoHey, little Wren! An Old English name, Wren (pronounced "REHN") comes from the word wroenna. Wrens are also pretty cute little songbirds. Adorable!
More from CafeMom: 30 Unusual Bird-Inspired Baby Names for Boys & Girls
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SANFORD
43iStock.com/sihuo0860371A cute name that we can't get enough of, 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!
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BLAIRE
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LUCA
45iStock.com/AlijaThis baby name is popular the world over! 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!
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ISLA
46Monkey Business Images/ShutterstockPronounced "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!
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BEAR
47iStock.com/jonathanfilskov-photographyBear 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!
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MABEL
48iStock.com/evgenyatamanenkoA 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.
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JACK
49iStock.com/JuanmoninoYes, 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!
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ALDEN
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TATE
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CLEO
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LENNON
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RAMONA
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NICO
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SADIE
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OSCAR
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MATILDA
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FITZ
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LEONORA
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ZEPHYR
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WINTER
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YORKE
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WILDE
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SEBASTIAN
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STARLING
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ZANE
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ORION
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LUCIEN
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POLLY JEAN
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FRANZ
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ZELDA
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DAMIEN
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MARGOT
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BOWIE
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TEIGEN
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DANTE
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FLANNERY
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OLIVER
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JAGGER
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