Invented Girl Names

We've lost count of how many Kaylani variations rank on the national charts. But here's another one.

Softer version of hot Harley or Marley.

This French-style name is, in fact, an American creation with only a handful of documented uses throughout history. Maudette combines the mini-name Maud — a medieval short form of Matilda, meaning "battle-mighty" — with the diminutive French suffix -ette, so together, this name could be poetically interpreted as "small but mighty".

Iyana is a new name with a New Age feel that's been on the popularity charts since 2000, related to cousins Aiyana and Ayanna.

With the sprightly "Ren" and "Wren" currently in fashion, and "ley" a productive suffix to create new names, this combination was inevitable, and is chirpy and appealing. Renley has been on the US charts for girls since 2012, and for boys since 2013. It probably got a boost from the Game of Thrones character Renly Baratheon, albeit with a slightly different spelling.

Cienna is Sienna's much rare sister, though it's popular enough to have been given to over 100 baby girls in the US last year. Since Princess Beatrice's use of Sienna, this name and variations are sure to gain popularity.

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.

Lusamine was created for a character in Pokemon Sun and Moon. Her name was based on the word balsamine, which refers to the balsam plant.

Made famous by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, whose parents fashioned her name from a musical term meaning "with sweetness".

Inspired by the Mazda sportscar. 'Nough said.

A little bit Aliyah and a little bit Elijah equals an invented name that moves into the girls' column with its choice by Kendra Wilkinson and Hank Bassett for their daughter. While there is good reason for this name to feel feminine, if you're not aware of the spelling variation, you're likely to just hear Elijah, both traditional and popular for boys. Then again, Noa is doing well for girls, so it wouldn't feel entirely out of place.

Australian opera singer Nellie Melba—self-named for her hometown of Melbourne—inspired this now-dated name more associated today with a peach dessert and dietetic toast.

Name of a feminist air pirate with an evil bent, Sala is also the word name for 'room' in Spanish. Salah is a common Arabic name.

Sha name, by way of Janice.

Quvenzhane Wallis, star of Beasts of the Southern Wild and Annie, is the youngest actress ever nominated for an Academy Award. Her name -- which actually takes an accent over the final e -- is a combination of her parents' names.

Westlynn and even more so Westlyn are among the hottest new names for baby girls, rising hundreds of percentage points in use every year. Over 50 baby girls were named Westlynn in 2017, and more than 100 were called Westlyn. The attractive unisex nickname is West.

Nouveau syllable compound that could appeal to parents looking to honor a Brenda or Brendan in their life.

A really inventive invented name, with a little of this and a little of that. Has a somewhat rhythmic African feel.

Rising star Nailah Blackman is a Trinidadian singer.

A versatile name with multiple origins, Anylah - and its more popular sister spelling Anyla - have quietly risen up the US charts since the 2000s. As a Hindi and Sanskrit name, it is a feminine form of Anil, the Hindu god of the wind, while in Albania, Hungry, Poland, Sweden and Finland, it is a form of Anila or Anilla, in turn variations of Anna and Agnes, There is also the possibility that this is a created name, inspired by the rise of Nyla.