avant

avant la lettre

Before something (a word, phrase, name, or specific entity, especially that which is anachronistic) was coined or created. From the French meaning "before the letter." So-called "hipsters" have always existed avant la lettre, but it's only in the last few decades that we've attempted to create a label for them.

the avant-garde

the artists, writers, musicians etc. of any period whose work is very modern and very different to what has been done before Since 1948, the exhibition has been a major showcase for the avant-garde.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Lacy	['leisi]
Alma (2)	-	Hebrew
Mckinney	[mə'kini:]
Drakon	-	Ancient Greek
ØYstein	-	Norwegian
Almir (2)	-	Bosnian