Kent is a no-nonsense, brief, brisk one-syllable name, almost as curt as Kurt.

Cowboyish short form that's both macho and cool. Got prime time exposure on The West Wing.

The popular single-named alternative singer (born Bek) has given this cool nature-meets-surname name a new lease of life. Another notable bearer is Beck Weathers, a Texan pathologist who survived the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, which was covered in the book and film Into Thin Air.

Actor Kit Harington, aka the dreamy Jon Snow on Game of Thrones, has given this nickname-name new style and appeal for boys. Actress Jodie Foster used it for her son back in the 2000s, while actor Kit Connor of Heartstopper fame may have introduced it to a wider audience.

This name projects a sense of well-being, as in "hale and hearty", while also having a nature-adjacent meaning, referring to someone who lives near a hollow, a nook, or a remote area of land. Rhyming word hail adds a hint of storminess to the name too.

Sleekened spelling.

Ky is a modern minimalist masculine name with multiple possible origins. As a standalone name, it may be derived from the Irish 'Caodhain' (meaning 'little battle') or can function as a shortened form of names like Kyle, Kyler, or Kyson. In Vietnamese culture, Ky can mean 'rare' or 'precious.' The name has gained modest popularity in recent decades as parents increasingly favor short, punchy names with international appeal. Its simplicity makes it versatile across cultures while its distinctive sound helps it stand out. Ky embodies contemporary naming trends that prioritize brevity and uniqueness.

Though it sounds like a modern invention, Kiran is a traditional Hindu name from India; chosen for her son by actress Kelli Williams. Author Kiran Desai is a woman and this name, which bears a resemblance to both the Irish (male) Kieran and the fifties favorite Karen, certainly works as well for a girl.

A cool, rugged sounding name, Calder is connected to an ancient Scottish clan, an English village, and a Scottish River, along with the sculptor Alexander Calder, who invented the mobile (as in, kinetic sculptures powered by motors or air). Meaning "rocky water" or "stony river" in the ancient Brittonic language, it makes a creative yet outdoorsy choice.

Jasper and its many international variations, from Kasper to Casper to Gaspard, is finding new popularity.