Invented Girl Names

Jazelle is a modern feminine name with multiple possible origins. It can be viewed as a creative elaboration of names like Jazz or Jasmine, combined with the popular feminine suffix '-elle.' The name conveys a sense of musical elegance and uniqueness. While not among the most common names in the United States or other English-speaking countries, Jazelle gained some recognition in the early 2000s as parents sought distinctive yet melodious names. The name carries connotations of liveliness, rhythm, and contemporary style. Its exotic sound makes it appealing to parents looking for a name that stands out while remaining relatively easy to pronounce and spell.

Epponnee-Rae — full name Epponnee-Raelene Kathleen Darlene Charlene Craig — is the daughter of Kim and Brett on the early aughts Australian sitcom Kath & Kim.

Superfans of auteur Wes Anderson may now consider Zissou as a baby name option, ever since Kieran Culkin and Jazz Charton used it for their daughter (birth name Kinsey Sioux). It's a clear homage to Anderson's film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, chronicling the journey of a Jacques Cousteau-like oceanographer avenging his partner's death-by-jaguar-shark.

A rising respelling of Aviana.

The name of the character in Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene" whom the poet intended as a representation of Queen Elizabeth I. While it will no doubt thrill your daughter's English professor, the addition of the "Bel" to already great Phoebe is on the fussy side.

A playful and whimsical choice for a child that works as a given name or a nickname (perhaps for Beatrix).

This spelling of the Old Testament girls' name feels more energetic and modern than the more traditional Zilla or Zillah -- which is probably why it's been a fast-growing name for years.

Riverlyn is a contemporary feminine name combining nature elements with a lyrical suffix. This modern compound name blends 'River'—representing flowing water, continuity, and natural beauty—with the popular feminine suffix 'lyn.'

A modern invented name, taken directly from the French phrase "J'adore", meaning "I love".

A contemporary creation, blending the Tay sound of Taylor (or perhaps Teagan, Dante, Anastasia, and Octavia) with the popular suffix -lynn. Given to more than 90 babies in 2024, it began to rise in usage back in the mid-2000s, then more notably during the 2010s. Alternative forms Taelyn, Taylynn, Taylin/n and Taylyn are also in use and when you combine all the spelling variations, the name is given to nearly 350 girls each year, which could make it feel surprisingly like a Top 1000 name, ranking along side Azaria, Pearl, Robin, Maisy, and Zayla.

Saylah is a name manufactured from elements of Sailor (or Saylor) and Kaylah (or Kayla) to make one of those unique baby names that's not quite genuine. Still, it has a pretty sound and is superior to such inventions as, say, Scarla.

A combination-type name invented by L. Frank Baum for a Princess character who first appears in his book Ozma of Oz.

A current creation used far more for boys at this point.

This unusual name, created by the singer Brandy for her daughter, uses punctuation in an inventive way -- a trend that takes creative spelling to a new but sometimes confusing level.

Scarla is one of a raft of modern names that have been spun from established names -- in this case, it's part Scarlett, part Carla -- to make something new and "different." Uniqueness is the value that drives parents to invent names like Scarla, Skyla, and Saylah, but we think you'd do better to seek out a genuine name that's more unusual and has less connection to current trends.

Kincső was invented in the 19th century by the Hungarian author Mór Jókai for his book A jövő század regénye, "The Novel of the Next Century." It's still a Top 100 choice in Hungary, where it peaked in 2007.

Lady Aurex is a character in L. Frank Baum's Glinda of Oz, a sequel to The Wizard of Oz.

Cute but slight mix of stylish sounds Cam and Bree, chosen by Rick Schroder for his daughter.

Douglas Adams invented this name for a character (aka Tricia) in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. It has a nice, trilly sound, and is accessible via its kinship with Gillian/Jillian.

A modern combo name created from Zoe + Ella – or, in the case of influential British Youtuber Zoella, from Zoë + Elizabeth.