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Southern baby names are captivating and classic. These names are usually inspired by well-known personalities, performing artists, charming cities, and beautiful landscapes. Using a southern name for your baby could offer a beautiful blend of the traditional and the contemporary. These names are not only popular in the south but among most parts of the country.
Keep reading to take a look at our collection of unique and trendy southern names for girls and boys, along with their meanings. Then go on and pick the perfect name for your little one.
Unique And Popular Southern Names For Boys
1. Abbott
The name Abbott has been a popular southern name for a boy, and means “father” in Hebrew.
2. Ace
The name Ace means “unity or one,” in Latin.
3. Aden
This unique name has Irish origin, and it means “fiery one.”
4. Alfred
A splendid name, Alfred means “wise counsel” in English.
5. Ambrose
The name Ambrose has a Latin origin, and it refers to “the immortal one.”
6. Ardy
The name Ardy originates from Latin, and means “great forest.”
7. Asher
This has its origin in Hebrew, and it means “blessed or happy.”
8. Atticus
It means “man of Attica,” in Latin. The name has been made popular by Atticus Finch, one of the main characters of Harper Lee’s 1960 novel “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
9. Austin
The name Austin refers to “magnificent or great” in English.
10. Axel
This unique name Axel is of Scandinavian origin, and means “father of peace.”
11. Banks
Banks is a topographic name referring to “the one who lives on the riverbank or hillside.
12. Bayou
It means “slow and small stream” and has Native American origin.
13. Beau
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This is a popular southern baby boy name and means “handsome” in French.
14. Benton
The name originates from an English word that means “bent grass enclosure.”
15. Billy
An adorable name for your boy, meaning “resolute protection” in English.
16. Blaine
The name has its origin from Gaelic and means “yellow.”
17. Boone
It means “good, a blessing” in French, and it reflects a perfect blessing from God.
18. Bradford
This unique name in English means “wide river crossing.”
19. Brent
This topographic name refers to “dweller near the burnt land” in English.
20. Brooks
The southern baby boy’s name refers to “of the brook” in English.
21. Buck
The word for “a male deer,” and denotes a robust and spirited young man.
22. Buddy
The name buddy refers to a “friend,” and has American origin.
Did you know?23. Burke
The name Burke comes from a French word meaning “from the fortress.”
24. Calhoun
This unique baby boy’s name means “from the narrow forest” in Irish.
25. Carson
This popular name for your boy has Scottish and English origin, and means “son of the marsh-dwellers.”
26. Carter
The name Carter refers to “transports goods by cart” and is popular in Irish, Scottish, and English speaking countries.
27. Carver
An occupational name referring to “woodcarver” in English.
28. Charleston
It is an Old English word for “free peasants” settlement.”
29. Clayton
The name refers to “settlement near the clay pit” and has Old English origin. The diminutive form is “Clay.”
30. Cletus
It originated from the Greek word and means “glory.”
31. Clinton
The short form of this southern baby boy’s name is Clint, and it means “settlement by the cliff” in English.
32. Clyde
It is a Scottish river name that flows through Glasgow. This also has its origin in Gaelic.
33. Cole
The name Cole means “charcoal” in English.
34. Colin
The name Colin has its origin in Gaelic, Irish and Scottish word meaning “young creature.”
35. Colton
It has a diminutive form “Colt,” which means “from the coal or dark town” in English.
36. Connor
This unique southern name for a boy means “lover of hounds” and has its origin in Irish.
37. Conway
The name Conway means “holy river, or the hound of the plain” in Welsh, Irish and Gaelic languages.
38. Cornelius
It means “horn” and originates from the Latin word.
39. Cruz
It is a Spanish word meaning “cross,” and is a short and sweet name for your little boy.
40. Dale
The name Dale refers to “Valley” in English, and is quite a popular southern name for a boy.
41. Davis
The southern name Davis has its origin in Hebrew and means “beloved.”
42. Dawson
This is a Welsh personal name for “son of David.”
43. Deacon
The name Deacon means “servant or messenger” in Greek.
44. Duke
It means “leader” in Latin, and it denotes a royal name to the boy.
45. Earl
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The name Earl refers to “warrior or nobleman” in English.
46. Easton
This is derived from the surname Easton meaning “east-facing place” in English.
47. Eli
Eli is a short and cute name for your baby boy, and has Hebrew origin. It means “uplifted, high, or ascended.”
48. Elijah
This name is the Hebrew word for “Yahweh is God.”
49. Ellis
Another popular southern name for your little boy Ellis meaning “benevolent” in Welsh.
50. Elmer
A name that means “noble or renowned” is Elmer in English.
51. Elvis
The name “Elvis means “wise,” and has its origin in Norse and Scandinavian languages.
52. Emerson
This name has its origin in German, and means “son of Emery.”
53. Emmett
This unique name has been popular in German and English and means “strong or industrious.”
54. Emory
It means “brave power” in German, and it reflects a strong personality.
55. Everett
This name Everett means “brave as a wild boar.” It is the name of the main character called “Rhett Butler” in the “Gone With The Wind” film.
56. Finch
A short and stylish boy name that means “to swindle” in English.
57. Finn
If you want to name your boy with a name that reflects his cuteness, you may pick this Irish origin name meaning “white, fair.”
58. Ford
It means “dweller at the ford” in English.
59. Franklin
The name Franklin has its origin in English, and means “free landholder.”
60. Gatlin
It is an English name for “fellow, companion.”
61. Granger
This is an occupational name for “worker of the granary in English
62. Grant
The name Grant originates from the Scottish word, which means “large.”
63. Gunnar
It refers to “bold warrior” and is a Scandinavian word.
64. Hartwell
This unique and modern name means “one who lives near the stag’s spring” in English
65. Hayden
If you want to give a fierce name to your boy, pick this name, which means “fire” in English.
66. Hayes
This is a name for “hedged area or forest” in English. Another variant of this name is Haywood.
67. Hemingway
It is an English place name for a lost village in England, and can be a unique name for your little one.
68. Henry
A royal name for the baby boy with German origin, and it means “estate ruler.”
69. Hiram
It means “brother of the exalted one” in Hebrew.
70. Houston
This southern name for a boy means “Hugh’s town, a settlement on the hill,” and has its origin in Old English, Irish, and Gaelic speaking countries.
71. Howard
This is a superior name of German origin, and means “high guardian or brave heart.”
72. Huck
It is a diminutive form of Huckleberry, a North American shrub, and was made popular in the novel “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain.
73. Hudson
This name refers to “Hugh’s son” and has its origin in English.
74. Jackson
The name Jackson or Jaxon is a family name referring to “son of Jack” in English.
75. Jacob
This Bible name is popular in southern regions, and means “supplanter” in Hebrew.
76. Jasper
Another popular name sounding stylish is Jasper meaning “treasurer” in the Persian language.
77. Jedidiah
It refers to “the beloved of Jehovah” in Hebrew. Jed is the diminutive of Jedidiah.
78. Jefferson
This is of Old English origin, and the meaning is “son of Jeffrey.”
79. Jeremiah
It is a Bible name and given name with Hebrew origin and means “appointed by God.”
80. Jimmy
A variant of James, it means “supplanter” in Hebrew and English.
81. Judson
It refers to the “son of Jordan” in English. The name also means “praised” in Greek.
82. Kenneth
This Scottish and Irish name refers to “born of fire or handsome.” it can be a unique southern name for your boy.
83. Knox
It refers to “round hill” and has its origin in the Scottish language.
84. Lee
This is a toponymic name referring to “those who dwelled by the wood or clearing, and has its origin in Old English.
85. Levi
Levi means “joined in harmony” and is a Hebrew name. It is also a popular Biblical name.
86. Liam
The popular southern baby boy name means “joined or attached” in Hebrew.
87. Lincoln
It has its origin in English, and refers to “town by the pool.”
88. Lockhart
If looking for a strong name for your little boy, this may be one of them. It means “brave” in Scottish.
89. Macon
This short and simple southern name Macon means “to make” in English.
90. Maddox
This is Welsh origin name referring to “fortunate” or “son of Madoc.”
91. Marshall
The name Marshall means “one who looks after horses” in French.
92. Mercer
It refers to “a merchant” and has its origin in French.
93. Micah
This baby boy’s name is a biblical name with Hebrew origin, and means “who is like the Lord.”
94. Milton
It refers to “settlement with a mill,” in English.
95. Nash
This southern name for baby boy refers to “at the ash tree” and has its origin in Middle English.
96. Oliver
This nature name Oliver means “olive tree” in Latin.
97. Orson
This cute name for your little boy is of Latin origin, and it means “bear cub.”
98. Parker
A stylish name meaning “park keeper” in English.
99. Paxton
The name Paxton is a boy’s name of Latin origin and means “peace town.”
100. Preston
The name is derived from an English place name composed of Old English elements “proest,” meaning “priest” and “tun,” meaning “town, settlement, or village.”
101. Price
It means “Son of Rhys” and is of Welsh origin.
102. Reed
This stylish name is of English origin, and it means “red-haired.”
103. Remington
The name Remington is of English origin and means “place on a riverbank.”
104. Richmond
This strong name for a baby boy means “powerful protector” in German.
105. Rufus
The name Rufus means “red-head,” and is of Latin origin.
106. Sawyer
This is an occupational name referring to a “woodcutter” in English.
107. Scout
It means “to listen” in French. It is the nickname of Jean Louise Finch, the main character in “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
108. Silas
The southern baby name for a boy means “forest or woods” in Greek.
109. Sterling
It means “genuine, of high quality” and is of English origin.
110. Texas
This Native American southern name for a baby boy means “friend;” the diminutive name for Texas is “Tex.”
111. Thaddeus
The name Thaddeus means “Gift of God” in Aramaic.
112. Thatcher
It is the “one who makes or lays thatching material or a roofer,” and is an occupational name of English origin.
113. Ulysses
It is of Greek origin, and means “wrathful, hater.”
114. Vernon
The name Vernon is of English origin and means “place of alders.”
115. Virgil
It means “staff bearer” in Latin. Virgil is the name of the greatest Roman poet, and also an Irish saint.
116. Wade
This short name is a topographic name for “at the river crossing” in English.
117. Walker
The name Walker means “cloth-walker” in English.
118. Weston
This is a toponymic name for “one who is from the western town” and has English origin.
119. Wiley
Another variant for this name is Wylie, which means “crafty” in Old English.
120. Wilmer
It means “determined, fame” and is of German origin.
121. Winchester
The name Winchester means “dweller at the Roman fort” in English.
122. Winston
This name means “wine’s town” and is of English origin.
123. Wyatt
If you want to give a strong name to your baby boy, this is a suitable one. Wyatt means “brave in war” in English.
124. Yale
This name is of Welsh origin, and it means “fertile upland”
125. Yates
It is of Middle English origin and means “the gates.”
126. Zeke
Zeke is a Hebrew word for “God strengthens.”
Cute And Pretty Southern Names For Girls
127. Abigail
The name Abigail signifies the joy of a father about the arrival of his sweet girl. It has its origin in Hebrew.
128. Abilene
This is of Hebrew origin, and it means “land of meadows.”
129. Adelaide
The name Adelaide is of German origin, and means “noble natured.”
130. Alexandria
A strong name for baby girl meaning “defender of men” in Greek.
131. Alinda
Alinda is of English origin and means “beautiful.” This could give a lot of confidence to the girl as she grows up.
132. Alma
This popular southern name for baby girls is of Latin origin, and means “kind, nourishing.”
133. Amelia
The name Amelia means “striving or industrious” in Latin.
134. Annabelle
A vintage name signifying a beautiful and lovely baby girl, and has its origin in Hebrew and French.
Trivia135. Annalee
It refers to “grace or gracious” in Hebrew.
136. Annamae
The name Annamae means “God has favored me” and is of Hebrew origin.
137. Annie
The name Annie means “full of grace or gracious” and has its origin in Hebrew.
138. Aubrey
It is an English name meaning “noble or fair ruler.” This boy name for girls is a popular Southern name and is on-trend lately.
139. Aurora
This is the name of Latin origin, and it means “sunrise.”
140. Ava
A variant of Eve meaning “life” and has its origin in Hebrew.
141. Azalea
This unique name means “dry” in Greek. It is also the name of a flower in English.
142. Beatrice
Celebrate the joy of a baby girl by naming her Beatrice, meaning “bringer of joy” in Latin.
143. Belle
This is a popular and short name meaning “beautiful” in Latin.
144. Betsy
It means “pledged to God” in Hebrew. The name symbolizes honoring God for the baby.
145. Birdie
The name Birdie means “bright, bird-like” in English.
146. Blakely
It means “dark, clearing” in English
147. Blanche
This Southern name for baby girl is of French origin, and means “white, fair.”
148. Bonnie
It is a Scottish name for “pretty or cheerful.”
149. Brianna
It is an unusual name and is a variant of Bryanna, and signifies the qualities of southern beauty, strong, virtuous and honorable.
150. Callie
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It means “beautiful one” in Greek origin. This is a nickname for Caroline and Catherine.
151. Camellia
The name Camellia is a state flower of Alabama. It also means “young and virginal in Latin.
152. Caroline
This is a feminine derivative of Charles or Carolus, meaning “free man.” It has its origin in Latin, French, and German.
153. Cassidy
The name Cassidy means “clever or curly-haired” in Irish.
154. Charlene
It is a feminine derivative of Charles or Carolus and means “freeman.” This has French, German, and Latin roots.
155. Charlotte
This southern baby girl’s name is a feminine derivative of Charlot and means “free man or petite” in French.
156. Clara
It means “bright or clear” and is a popular southern name. The feminine form of “Clarus” with Latin origin.
157. Clementine
The name Clementine is of Latin origin, and it means “merciful or gentle.”
158. Clover
It is the name for a “flower” of Old English origin.
159. Connie
The name Connie means “steadfast” and has its origin in Latin.
160. Coralee
This baby girl’s name is a variant of Cora (Greek) and Coral (Latin) and means “maiden.”
161. Daisy
The name is an Old English word for Day’s eye, and is also the name of a flower.
162. Dakota
It means “Allies, friends” and is of Native American origin. Dakota Fanning is an American actress who became prominent at the age of seven.
163. Daphne
This warm name refers to “a laurel or bay tree,” and is of Greek origin.
164. Deedee
It is a Welsh and Latin word for “pleasure, delight, or divine. The short form is “Dee.”
165. Delilah
The name is of Hebrew origin, and means “seductive, delightful.”
166. Delta
It means “born fourth” as in the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet.
167. Dixie
This rich name for girls refers to the ten-dollar notes which were circulated during the pre-civil war in Louisiana. It means “tenth” in French.
168. Dolly
A diminutive form of Dorothy, and means “Gift of God” in Greek.
169. Dottie
Dottie is a variant of Dorothy, meaning “Gift of God” and has its origin in Greek.
170. Eileen
The name Eileen means “light” and is of Irish origin.
171. Eldora
It is a Spanish word for “golden,” and derived from El Dorado, which is an imaginary dreamland in South America rich in gold and precious metals.
172. Ellison
This is a feminine form of Elias, and means “son of Ellis” in Old English.
173. Elora
This baby girl’s name has gained popularity over the years and means “a shining light” in Greek and Hebrew.
174. Etta
This English origin name means an “estate ruler” and symbolizes a girl in a position of power.
175. Elizabeth
It is derived from the Hebrew name Elisheba meaning “My God is bountiful.”
176. Faye
The name Faye means “fairy” and derived from the Middle English word “faie.”
178. Feliz
This Spanish origin name means “happy, lucky, or fortunate.”
179. Florenza
It means “flower or bloom” in Latin and signifies that the baby girl blooms like a flower.
180. Flossie
Flossie means “flowering or flourishing.” It is a name for the Mythological Roman goddess of flowers.
181. Fredda
It is a feminine derivative of Frederick, meaning “peaceful ruler” in German.
182. Gardenia
The name Gardenia means “a flower” and is of Scottish origin. It is the name for naturalist Alexander Garden during the 18th century.
183. Gemma
It means a “precious stone” and is of Italian origin. This is a popular southern name most parents choose for their precious baby.
184. Genia
The name Genia means “pure, of royal birth” in Greek.
185. Georgia
This popular southern baby girl name means “farmer” and is a feminine derivative of George in Greek.
186. Georgina
It is a feminine form of George, meaning “farmer” in Greek.
187. Giselle
This French girl name is derived from the Germanic element “Gisil,” meaning “bright pledge.”
188. Gladys
It refers to “royalty or princess” and is a Classic southern name of Welsh origin.
189. Grace
This popular name means “blessing, favor” derived from the Latin word “gratia,” meaning “favor or thanks.”
190. Harlene
It is of American origin with the meaning “created name.” This is a variant of Charlene and a combination of the names Harry and Arlene.
191. Harper
The name Harper refers to “a harpist” in Middle English.
192. Hattie
This is a feminine diminutive of Henri, meaning “ruler of the home” in French.
193. Hayley
It means “hayfield” and is of English origin. This is a derivative of the surname Haley.
194. Honora
This name means woman of “honor, dignity and principles” and any parent would love to name their girl to inculcate these virtues.
195. Ida
The name Ida means “hardworking” and has its origin in Greek and German. It is a popular southern baby girl name in many European countries.
196. Isabella
It means “My God is bountiful” and is derived from the Hebrew name “Elisheba.”
197. Itzel
The name Itzel means “star of the aurora sky,” and has its origin in the Mayan culture.
198. Ivy
It signifies fidelity and faithfulness in English. This is derived from the name of the Ivy plant.
199. June
The name is derived from the Latin name Juno. She is the Roman Queen of Gods and Goddess of marriage.
200. Jean
It is a feminine derivative of John, meaning “God is gracious” in Hebrew.
201. Jolene
Jolene means “he (God) will increase” and is of Hebrew origin.
202. Josie
It is a familiar form of the name Josephine and is of American origin. This name means “God will add.”
203. Juniper
This name means “A cypress evergreen tree” derived from the Latin word “Juniperus.”
204. Kay
This is a shortened name for Katherine, meaning “pure.” The name has a Greek origin.
205. Kennedy
It comes from Irish and means “misshapen head.” This is an attractive surname that projects the Kennedy family charisma.
206. Kit
It means “bearer of Christ, and is a derivative of the Greek word “Christophorus.”
207. Lemon
It is one of the sweet names you can pick for your girl meaning “beloved person” in Middle English.
208. Loretta
This name has Italian origin and means “laurel or bay.”
209. Louella
This popular southern name has German and English origins and means “famous warrior.”
210. Lucille
It is a French variation of the Latin word Lucilla meaning “light.”
211. Mabel
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The name means “lovable” and is of Latin origin.
212. Madison
It is a surname meaning “son of Maud” where Maud is a pet name for Mathilda, battle mighty.
213. Mae
This short girl name refers to “month of May” in English.
214. Magnolia
The name Magnolia is inspired by the state flower of Mississippi. It is also the name of the 17th-century French botanist, Pierre Magnol.
215. Maisie
This southern name is a Scottish name for “a little pearl.”
216. Maribel
It is a blend of Latin for “Mary,” meaning “star of the sea” and the French for “belle,” meaning “beautiful.”
217. Memphis
It is a popular and unique name from Egypt meaning “enduring and beautiful.”
218. Mirabella
The name Mirabella means “of wondrous beauty” in Latin.
219. Mona
This is a diminutive form of Madonna of Italian origin. It means “chaste maiden” from the Greek word “monachos.”
220. Monroe
It is of Scottish origin and means mouth of the Roe River.”
221. Myrtle
The name Myrtle means “an evergreen shrub” and is taken from the word mirabilis in Greek.
222. Nancy
It means “grace or favor” in Hebrew, and was originally a nickname before being used as a full name.
223. Nellie
The name Nellie is an English name meaning “sunray.” It is also a short name for Eleanor, which means “the shining light.”
224. Nora
This is a diminutive form of Honora, meaning “light” in Greek.
225. Odette
It is derived from the French word “ouda,” meaning “rich,” and is a female version of German “Otto.”
226. Olivia
This beautiful name refers to the “Olive tree” in Latin.
227. Paisley
This is a Scottish word for “church.” It is a Scottish town located in the west-central area of Lowlands.
228. Pearl
The name refers to the pearl gem. This adorable name for your baby girl is of Latin origin.
229. Penelope
The name Penelope means “weaver” in Greek and has prominence in Greek mythology.
230. Priscilla
Priscilla means “ancient” and is of Latin origin. Priscilla Presley was an American actress and businessman.
231. Raelynn
It is a combination of Rae (meaning female sheep) and Lynn (meaning lake). This name has its origin in American, Welsh, and Hebrew.
232. Reese
It is a unique name of Welsh origin meaning “ardor.” This denotes a name of confidence.
233. Rosie
This southern name for baby girls is derived from the flower “Rose” of Latin origin.
234. Reba
It means “snare” and is of American origin. Reba McEntire is a popular singer cum actress.
235. Rita
The name Rita means “pearl” and is of Greek origin.
236. Rylee
It is a variant of Riley, meaning “courageous” and has Irish and Gaelic origin.
237. Sadie
The name Sadie is a sweet and popular Hebrew baby name, and it means “princess.”
238. Savannah
This has been a favorite southern name meaning “treeless plain” and is of Spanish origin.
239. Scarlett
It means “red in color” in French. This was the name of a character in Margaret Mitchell’s novel, “Gone With the Wind.”
240. Serenity
This baby girl’s name is of English origin and means “serene, calm.”
241. Summer
It has its origin in German and refers to “season or half-year.”
242. Susannah
This stylish name for baby girl is of Hebrew origin and means “lily.”
243. Tallulah
A pleasant nature baby name meaning “leaping water,” Tallulah is of Native American origin. It denotes a strong personality and love for nature.
244. Tilly
This is a shortened form of Matilda, and means “battle-ready” in German.
245. Trinity
It is derived from the Latin word Trinitas meaning “triad” in Latin.
246. Twyla
This baby girl’s name is of English and French origin. It means “twilight or star.”
247. Violet
It is derived from the French “Violette” or Latin “Viola.” This name is associated with a flower.
248. Virginia
The name Virginia is derived from the Latin word “Virgo,” meaning “maiden or virgin.”
249. Vivian
It means “alive” and derived from the Latin word Vivus.
250. Whitney
The name Whitney means “white island” and is of Old English origin.
251. Willow
It is a derivative of the Middle English word “wilwe,” meaning “a tree.”
252. Wynona
This is a variant of Winona. It refers to “firstborn daughter or eldest daughter” and has roots in Native American languages.
253. Zelda
The name Zelda means “gray fighting maid” and has a German origin. It is a popular southern name.
Discover More Names
When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I incorporate Southern charm and hospitality into my baby’s name?
You can choose a name that has a significant meaning with rich history, and is unique at the same time. You may also check the traits associated with the name and decide if you want to embody those qualities in your child. Furthermore, you can use the Southern name as a given name as well as a middle name or combine it with other traditional or contemporary names.
2. Can I choose a Southern baby name that is gender-neutral?
Yes. Gender-neutral names are trendy. However, ensure that the chosen name has a good meaning and history and is socially acceptable.
This list of Southern baby names may help you give your little one a unique name. These names have been picked out carefully and categorized under different subheads for your convenience. For example, names such as Ambrose or Ardy have a Latin origin, whereas Ida or Louella have been derived from the German language. These names will also make your child feel special as they grow up. Thus, scroll through and choose a unique name for your little one according to your preference and your child’s personality.
Infographic: Interesting Facts About Southern Names
Southerners live in the southern United States, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Texas. Even if you do not live in this region, you may choose a Southern name for your baby to give them a distinct identity. Check out this infographic to learn some fascinating facts about Southern names. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Southern baby names are inspired by famous people, artists, cities, and landscapes, offering a timeless yet contemporary feel.
- These names come from varying origins, including Hebrew, English, Greek, and Italian.
- Southern boy names like Atticus and Scarlett are tied to famous literary characters.
- Magnolia and Willow, inspired by nature, are perfect for developing a connection with the natural world.
Illustration: Cute Southern Baby Names For Girls & Boys With Meanings
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
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