Disclosed herein include systems, methods, compositions, and kits for molecular barcoding on the 5′-end of a nucleic acid target. After barcoding a nucleic acid target using an oligonucleotide barcode comprising a target binding region and a molecular label to generate a barcoded nucleic acid molecule, an oligonucleotide comprising a complement of the target binding region can be added to generate a barcoded nucleic acid molecule comprising the target-binding region and the complement of the target-binding region. A stem loop is formed with intra-molecular hybridization of the barcoded nucleic acid molecule, which can be extended to generate an extended barcoded nucleic acid molecule comprising the molecular label and a complement of the molecular label.