Hipster one syllable names

  1. Jem
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of James or Jeremiah
    • Description:

      This name of the ten-year-old boy in the much loved and acclaimed modern classic To Kill a Mockingbird could find favor along with that of the character's sister, Scout.
  2. Jens
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Johannes or John
    • Description:

      Short but substantial Nordic name that travels well -- although it runs the risk of being confused with all the feminine Jen names.
  3. Jess
    • Origin:

      Short form of Jessica, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "behold or wealthy"
    • Description:

      Many variations of Jessica, including Jessie and Jessa, are used on their own, but Jess is an exception, given to only a handful of baby girls last year. But Jess is certainly the name that many Jessicas are called.
  4. Jett
    • Origin:

      Mineral or word name
    • Description:

      Short, sharp, and cool, Jett is a contemporary choice that connotes both gemstones and jet engines. Rarely used before the 90s, John Travolta, and then George Lucas, helped to put the name on the map by choosing it for their sons.
  5. Jone
    • Jos
      • Jove
        • Origin:

          Mythological name
        • Description:

          Another name for Jupiter, king of the Roman gods, this jovial name is eminently ready for modern use. Feminine variations include Jovita and Jovie.
      • Judd
        • Origin:

          Medieval short form of Jordan
        • Meaning:

          "flowing down"
        • Description:

          Judd is a strong but sensitive short form that can easily stand on its own, the second 'd' giving it a lot more substance, and it would also be a good middle name choice. Two recent actors have given it credence--Judd Nelson and Judd Hirsch, and now it's most noticeably represented by comedy director Judd Apatow.
      • Judge
        • Origin:

          Word name
        • Description:

          Eighties star Judge Reinhold (born Edward Jr. , he was given this nickname at the age of two weeks) made this possible, but it could cause a lot of confusion.
      • Keats
        • Origin:

          English literary name
        • Meaning:

          "kite"
        • Description:

          Poetic and easier to pronounce (it's keets) than Yeats (which is yates). This one of many poets' names to consider, such as Auden, Eliot, Frost, Byron, Lorca, Marlowe, Blake, Emerson and Tennyson, which was used by Russell Crowe.
      • Keefe
        • Origin:

          Irish
        • Meaning:

          "handsome and noble"
        • Description:

          Keefe is an energetic Irish surname occasionally used as a first. Only caveat: Will people think your little Keefe is a Keith with enunciation problems?
      • Kees
        • Origin:

          Dutch diminutive of Cornelius
        • Description:

          Has a lot of charm, giving the sense of opening the door to life, and has a creative connection to Dutch artist Kees van Dongen.
      • Keir
        • Origin:

          Irish
        • Meaning:

          "dark, black"
        • Description:

          Keir is a single-syllable name that packs a lot of punch, might suggest -- thanks to its similarity to the word care -- a caring person. Sir Keir Rodney Starmer is a British politician and head of the Labour Party since 2020. Keir Dullea is an American actor who starred in 2001: A Space Odyssey.
      • Kerr
        • Origin:

          Scottish
        • Meaning:

          "living near wet ground"
        • Description:

          Kerr, a simple, unusual unisex middle-name choice, can be pronounced either car or kehr.
      • Keyes
        • Origin:

          English, Irish
        • Meaning:

          "keeper of keys; son of Aodh"
        • Description:

          With an easy-going and interesting sound, the surname-inspired Keyes might fit in with the likes of Hayes, Reese, Kai and Keegan. While Keyes has never appeared in the US stats, Key (perhaps as a variation of Kay or Kai) is given to a handful of boys each year.
      • Kiel
        • Origin:

          Short form of Ezekiel
        • Description:

          Sharp attractive short form which has a nautical translation in German: "keel" (although it isn't used as a name there).
      • Kip
        • Origin:

          American diminution of Christopher
        • Description:

          Kip Thorne, nobel laureate and long-time colleague of Stephen Hawking, is just one of several Kips who don't have a longer name.
      • Kirk
        • Origin:

          Norse
        • Meaning:

          "church"
        • Description:

          Far more friendly and open than similar one-syllable names like Kent, Kurt, and Karl, it's been associated for more than half a century with actor Kirk Douglas, whose birth name was Issur Danielovitch Demsky.
      • Kit
        • Origin:

          English, diminutive of Katherine
        • Meaning:

          "pure"
        • Description:

          Kit is a crisp, old-time nickname with plenty of spirit and style. In the UK it's a rising star for boys, while in the US, it is trending upwards for girls too. Originally used as a diminutive of Katherine and Christopher, Kit could make a cool alternative to Katie, or an unexpected honor name for the aforementioned classics.
      • Klaus
        • Origin:

          German variation of Claus, diminutive of Nicolas
        • Description:

          Two drawbacks: some unpleasant World War II associations, and the Santa clause.