Parents have been creating their own names from existing appellations since the beginning of time. So have authors, from Shakespeare to George R. R. Martin. As far as modern attempts go, Esmarie, which combines Esme and Marie, has a nice natural flow and a sound that is very pleasant.

Variant of Marisa

A pretty and unusual spin on Maria.

Variant of Marylynn

Variant of Marilyn

At 22 letters long, this name might be too much for a child to handle. Antonio Sabàto Jr. famously used it as the middle name for his son.

In Slovenia, Maca is more common as an independent name than its parent name Marija.

A unique and vintage-feeling combo name, borne by silent child film star Ethelmary Oakland.

Cerian is a diminutive of Ceri (pronounced like Kerry), which comes from a root meaning "love". Both were relatively popular in Wales in the 1980s and 1990s, though they are used less there today.

Derived from Marie, the meaning of which is uncertain. Theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

A captivating and sprightly name brought into the limelight by actress Thandiwe Newton.

Variant of Maribella

Modern Spanish variant of Marissa

One of Mary's more edgy and unusual international variants.

Variant of Marissa

Moana may be the best-known South Sea Islander name thanks to Disney. This puts a male spin on the appealing nature name.

Slovene Mia cognate, rarely seen in the US.

Thandi can be used independently or as a nickname for one of the Thand- starting names such as Thandeka or Thandiwe.

Common Slovene spelling of Ludmila, also used frequently in the Baltics.