Invented Girl Names

Wrenley entered the charts back in 2013, inspired by rising word name Wren and names such as Hadley, Everly and Paisley. Now, it's a Top 150 choice, with spelling variations Wrenleigh and Wrenlee also in the Top 1000. This trimmed down spelling has also been on the rise, given to 206 girls in 2024, compared to 155 the year prior.

A modern invention that's been in use since the 80s and in the charts since the 90s, which combines the sounds of Jasmine (or Jasper or just the word jazz) with the popular suffix, -lyn. Inspiration might also have come from Joslyn, Jocelyn, or Roslyn. Trendy but snazzy too, Jazlyn remains in the US Top 600.

There aren't many characters in the notoriously amoral world of Game of Thrones with a spotless record of moral righteousness -- but Brienne of Tarth comes close. She's one of the most accomplished, ferocious fighters in the entire series -- she was one of the few people ever to best The Hound in one and one combat. And yet she always tries to use her power for good.

Quiana might be thought of as the first synthetic name. Quiana was popular in the 1970s and 80s, along with the same-named form of polyester.

Skylyn is a modern feminine name that emerged in the late 20th century, blending the popular nature-inspired element "Sky" with the trendy "-lyn" suffix that appears in names like Brooklyn and Madelyn. The name evokes images of openness, freedom, and limitless possibilities. Skylyn began appearing on American baby name charts in the early 2000s, gaining modest popularity as part of the trend toward created names with contemporary sounds. Its appeal lies in its fresh, airy quality and distinctive sound. While not among the top-ranked names, Skylyn continues to appeal to parents seeking modern names with natural associations and a unique but recognizable structure.

Laisha made the US Top 1000 list for a few years in the early 21st century, thanks to its role on a Spanish soap opera. The name is a variation of the popular Arabic and Muslim name Aisha, which has many spellings and forms.

Rosabel, a vintage smoosh name created in the 18th century, feels slightly less frilly than her cousins Rosabelle and Rosabella. It could make for a more distinctive alternative to Isabel, or an unusual name that gets you to sweet nicknames Rosie or Belle.

A variation of Riley with an added -lynn suffix, this girl name is bubbling right underneath the Top 1000.

As modern "smoosh" names go, Starlynn is not bad. Over the past two years nearly 40 American girls have been given this name. There may be some confusion with the name Starling (a type of bird), but that shouldn't be too difficult to overcome. Beware, however, its similarity in sound to Russian dictator, Stalin.

Unfortunate name that's become a caricature, like Muffy, say, or Bruce.

On one hand, this may be a twist on the unisex Emery, to make it more obviously feminine - and to make it stand out from Emery, Emory, and Emerie, which all rank in the US Top 600.

This name's trendy trademarks - the "K" start and the "-yah" suffix - explain how it made its way up the Top 1000. Just beware the similarities between this name and creamy liqueur "Kahlua".

This perfume name, undoubtedly a takeoff on the French word for pretty, has somehow wafted into the girls' lexicon. Too commercial.

For girls, Taylin reads like a mashup of Taylor and Kaitlin.

A sweet modern combination of Kim and Marie, never given to more than 10 baby girls per year in the US.

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.

Kamiya is a feminine name with Japanese origins, though it's used cross-culturally. In Japanese, its meaning varies depending on the kanji characters used to write it, but it commonly translates to 'divine valley' (神谷) or can incorporate elements meaning 'god/divine' (神) and various second elements. The name has gained modest international recognition while remaining relatively uncommon in Western countries, giving it an exotic appeal. Kamiya has a melodic three-syllable flow (ka-mi-ya) that fits well with contemporary naming trends. The name carries cultural richness while being relatively easy for English speakers to pronounce. Its distinctiveness makes it appealing to parents looking for a name that sounds modern and multicultural while having authentic roots.

Swinging London songbird Petula Clark claims that this name was her father's invention; in any case it hasn't seen much copycat usage.

The further you move away from the original Briana, the feminine form of Brian first used by Edmund Spenser in The Faerie Queen, the more invented and less authentic you get. But many parents want the distance from Brian as Breanna -- or Breana or Breeanna or any of the other variations -- feels more like its own name.