Hipster one syllable names
- Jem
Origin:
Diminutive of James or JeremiahDescription:
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.
- Jens
Origin:
Scandinavian variation of Johannes or JohnDescription:
Short but substantial Nordic name that travels well -- although it runs the risk of being confused with all the feminine Jen names.
- Jess
Origin:
Short form of Jessica, HebrewMeaning:
"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.
- Jett
Origin:
Mineral or word nameDescription:
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.
- Jone
- Jos
- Jove
Origin:
Mythological nameDescription:
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 JordanMeaning:
"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 nameDescription:
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 nameMeaning:
"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:
IrishMeaning:
"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 CorneliusDescription:
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:
IrishMeaning:
"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:
ScottishMeaning:
"living near wet ground"Description:
Kerr, a simple, unusual unisex middle-name choice, can be pronounced either car or kehr.
- Keyes
Origin:
English, IrishMeaning:
"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 EzekielDescription:
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 ChristopherDescription:
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:
NorseMeaning:
"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 KatherineMeaning:
"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 NicolasDescription:
Two drawbacks: some unpleasant World War II associations, and the Santa clause.