Invented Girl Names

Naylani is a modern feminine name with multicultural influences. It may be a creative variation of names like Leilani (Hawaiian for 'heavenly flower') or Nayeli (of Zapotec origin meaning 'I love you'). The prefix 'Nay-' appears in several contemporary names, while the '-lani' suffix has Hawaiian roots often associated with meanings like 'heaven' or 'sky.' Naylani has gained modest popularity in the 21st century as parents increasingly seek unique names with melodic qualities. Its four-syllable pattern and flowing sound make it appealing to those looking for a distinctive yet feminine-sounding name for their daughters.

Part Rylee, part Raelynn — Raelee is a trendy compound name on the rise.

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.

An invented name inspired by the Irish/Scottish May Day festival of Beltane. And perhaps a modern way to honor a Tania?

Riverlynn is a modern feminine name that combines the nature word 'River' with the popular name suffix 'lynn,' which means lake or brook, creating a flowing, melodic name that evokes natural beauty.

Queen Nehelenia is a villain in the Sailor Moon anime franchise. Her name is likely a reference to both the mineral nepheline — as many Sailor Moon characters are named after minerals — and Nehalennia, a German or Celtic goddess.

Itzayana, one of the fastest-rising girls' names of 2016, feels like a distant cousin of the ultra-popular Isabella.

Kenzley is a contemporary feminine name that emerged in the early 2000s as part of the trend toward blended or created names with the popular '-ley' suffix. It likely combines elements of McKenzie or Kenzie (originally a Scottish surname meaning 'son of Kenneth') with the fashionable ending shared by names like Hailey, Paisley, and Ashley. Kenzley exemplifies modern naming trends that favor distinctive sounds and spellings while maintaining accessibility. The name has a bright, energetic quality with its strong 'K' beginning and cheerful ending. While still relatively uncommon, Kenzley has gained traction among parents seeking something modern and unique but with familiar phonetic elements.

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

Raylan may be on the rise as a baby name thanks to (male) TV lawman Raylan Givens, but the name is also occasionally used for girls: the statistical gender split is 15 to 1. The -lan ending might be thought of as Lynn-like, with Raylan an updated spin on such midcentury concoctions as Rae-Lynn.

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.

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.

This variation of the English word "blessing" is on the rise, while the original Blessing actually fell in use in 2022. This may soon become a Journee/Journey type of situation, where the misspelled version becomes more popular than the original. The name Blessyn was given to 149 baby girls in 2022, and Blessing to 236.

Sirje is a uniquely Estonian name of unconfirmed origins, although the story goes that it was created and offered up by Julius Mägiste, a linguist, in 1929. He derived it from the word sinisirje, meaning "blue-feathered" and tied to a mythical bird creature in the Kalevipoeg, Estonia's national epic. Eugen Kapp used Sirje for one of the characters in his 1945 opera Tasuleegid, which roughly translates to "The Flames of Fame."

Prior to 2013, this name was unheard of. That was the year that Larry Hernandez, singer and star of reality show Larrymania, gave the name to his daughter. It has now entered the US Top 1000, following in the footsteps of Daleyza, the invented name Hernandez bestows upon his older daughter.

The Social Security Lists show Willodean and its variant spellings to have been used throughout the 1920s and 30s especially in Southern states. There are a few theories on its origins (an invented name created to honor William/Willard and a a female name ending in "-dine", or it may be an Anglicization of a Native American name). Either way, it has a willowy sweetness that deserves a comeback.

A mix-and-match unisex name inspired by Taylor.

Oaklyn is one of the oak-related names moving up the popularity charts, along with more popular sister Oakley and near-identical twin Oaklynn. The Oaklynn spelling used for three times as many baby girls as Oaklyn -- 1800 vs. 600.

Looks very much like it lost its first initial.