Invented Girl Names

With Henley and Kinsley two of the most popular new ley-ending baby names for girls, why not Hensley? We can think of several reasons, but if you like this style of name, Hensley is as attractive as any.

Harleth is a name which probably stems from combining the oh-so-trendy Harlow with the evergreen Elizabeth. However, literary parents may also remember the beautiful but difficult character Gwendolen Harleth from George Eliot's Daniel Deronda. Harleth has a fashionable edge to it, being associated with rising supermodel Harleth Kuusik.

Haisley, but with more pizzazz.

The name of a regular (if not central) character on Amazon's Catastrophe vaguely recalls Melanie, Melissa and Sandra.

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.

Avaleigh is a contemporary feminine name that has gained modest popularity in recent years, particularly in English-speaking countries. It appears to be a creative combination of the popular prefix 'Ava' with the suffix 'leigh,' creating a name that sounds both familiar and unique. The 'Ava' element may connect to the Latin 'avis' meaning 'bird,' or to the Hebrew 'Chava' meaning 'life,' while the 'leigh' suffix derives from Old English, meaning 'meadow' or 'clearing.' This blending of elements creates a name with a melodious, flowing quality that fits current naming trends favoring longer names with lyrical sounds. Avaleigh embodies a modern, nature-inspired aesthetic while maintaining feminine elegance, making it appealing to parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible.

Variation of Kaylee and Kali with the popular "-leigh" suffix.

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.

Grimes and Elon Musk created this name for their daughter Y, full name Exa Dark Sideræl. Grimes explained it is "a more elven" spelling of sidereal, "the true time of the universe, star time, deep space time, not our relative earth time."

Fanciful feminissima name created by L. Frank Baum for a character in The Patchwork Girl of Oz.

One of many distinctive names in the show and book series Midnight, Texas by Charlaine Harris -- and one of very few girl's names that start with the letter X.

A Frenchy name that doesn't exist in France, probably an attempt to create a classy feminine version of John or Johnny by rhyming it with Monet.

Used in Puerto Rico, Brazil, and the US, this variation of the Hawaiian Kailani follows the pattern among Portuguese and Spanish speakers of using -y endings over -i endings, as in the case of Ailany or Melany. With its bright, melodic sound and K initial, Kailany was a fast rising choice in 2024 when it entered the Top 1000 for the first time, having climbed more than 200 places.

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.

A fanciful concoction whipped up by L. Frank Baum for a beautiful and powerful princess in one of his Oz books.

Zippier Deborah.

Florinda may be taking a good thing, the name of the Roman goddess of flowers and springtime, and making it too elaborate.

Leica is a camera brand that made the news years ago when a photographer gave it to his daughter. It has never charted as a baby name in the US but is definitely a plausible (and attractive) choice for the daughter of a photography lover.

Variation of Lake.