Invented Boy Names

A rare smoosh of Dontae and Octavius, also spelled Dontavious.

An invented name that has its roots in DeAndre or D'Andre, which springs from "the son of Andrew." Feels like half Don or Dion, half Andre or Andrew, but not enough of something unto itself.

Name with an Asian feel, thanks to a Japanese city and Imari porcelain.

Kyza debuted for boys in 2021, when it was given to nine baby boys. It has two likely influencers: Artist and social media influencer Khyzal Saleem, who uses the handle @the_kyza on Instagram, and musician Alex Kyza.

See TADEN.

One of the new two-syllable boys' names with more style than substance.

The name of an absinthe-imitation, Herbsaint is a liqueur created and produced in New Orleans since the 1930s. It literally translates to "sacred herb," in reference to absinthe woodworm, the one absinthe ingredient it doesn't contain.

Raylen is a modern masculine name that has gained popularity in recent decades, particularly in the United States. It appears to be a contemporary blend of the popular Ray prefix (meaning 'beam of light' or 'counsel') with the trending -len/-lyn suffix seen in names like Kaylen and Jaylen. The name has a contemporary sound that fits with current naming trends while maintaining a distinctly masculine quality. Raylen may also be viewed as a variation of Raylan, which gained visibility through the character Raylan Givens in the television series 'Justified.' The name carries connotations of brightness and illumination through its 'ray' element. While still relatively uncommon, Raylen has been steadily increasing in usage, appealing to parents seeking a modern-sounding name that balances uniqueness with accessibility.

Devonte is a modern American name with African-American origins, created as a variant of Devon or DeVon. The distinctive ending gives it a more melodic quality while maintaining its strong masculine sound. The name gained popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s, particularly within African-American communities. While not among the top-ranked names nationally, Devonte has maintained a steady presence in naming patterns. It carries connotations of uniqueness and individuality, often associated with creativity and personal expression. Some notable namesakes include athletes and musicians who have helped familiarize the name in popular culture.

Zaiden grafts the fashionable first letter z onto the Aiden/Kaiden/Jaiden group of names, to popular effect. Soundalike Zayden is even more popular.

Name invented for a spirit fox character on the Disney Channel TV show Sofia the First.

Ayven is a modern masculine name with a distinctive sound that combines elements of popular names like Aiden and Evan. While its exact origins are unclear, it likely emerged as a contemporary variation of similar-sounding names. The name has gained modest popularity in recent years as parents seek unique alternatives to common names. With its blend of familiar sounds and unconventional spelling, Ayven appeals to parents looking for a name that feels both accessible and distinctive. The name carries a contemporary vibe and works well in multicultural contexts. Its rising usage reflects broader trends toward creative spellings and modern-sounding names for boys.

We can't believe we're saying this, but we'd even prefer Arnie or Barney.

One of the most popular of the creative spellings of this name.

The popularity of legendary names, such as Legend, Legendary, and Legacy, has led to the creation of new names in this genre — meet Alegend (and ALegend and A'Legend). Phrases as names are slowly filtering into the mainstream, with choices like AKing, MyLove, and AMillion garnering more and more use each year.

Shakespeare invented the names Salerio, Solanio, and Salarino for his play The Merchant of Venice. The names are puns on salario, the Italian word for "salary," as each character shows great concern with money.

This attempt to masculinize Jules has made its way into the Top 1000. We recommend using the more traditional spelling, as this one will likely appear dated in a few years' time.

Dox may sound like a modern invention but it actually has a notable historical bearer. Malagasy poet Jean Verdi Salomon Razakandrainy was known mononymously as Dox, inspired by a nickname he received in art school.

Definite twenty-first- century possibilities, with its stylish K opening, strong first syllable, and softer second.

A recently-created Slovene name with no etymological roots. Naj debuted in the Slovenian Top 100 in 2019, when it was given to 23 baby boys. However, based on the use of Naja in Slovenia as a diminutive of Anastazija or Natalija as well as a stand alone name, Naj (and similar Nai) might have come about in a similar way, from Nikolaj or Nikolai, for example.