What term describes the hair that sticks straight up at the front hairline?

The term that describes the hair that sticks straight up at the front hairline is "cowlick." A cowlick typically refers to a section of hair that grows in a different direction from the rest of the hair, causing it to stand up or lay differently than surrounding hair. This phenomenon is often seen at the crown of the head or along the hairline and is caused by the natural growth pattern of the hair follicles.

The other terms have different meanings. A "whirl" is a circular pattern of hair growth that can often be confused with a cowlick but is generally broader in its appearance. "Flick" usually refers to a styling technique rather than hair growth patterns, often describing the way hair turns out at the ends when styled. "Spike" often indicates a specific hairstyle where the hair is intentionally styled to stand up in spikes, typically using styling products to achieve this effect. Thus, the correct understanding of these terms reinforces the identification of a cowlick as the hair that stands up at the front hairline.