Invented Girl Names

Brilie combines elements of the megapopular Briana and Riley to form a pleasant merger. Some would call Brilie a Smoosh Name.

Cardi B is the stage name of the rapper born Belcalis Almanzar. The name Cardi originated as a short form of Bacardi, a nickname the musician got because her sister is named Hennessy, after the cognac. The B, she says, stands for a range of things, depending on the day, including Belcalis and Bacardi. Cardi is one invented name that's found instant fame and could go much further. For now, it's definitely one of the most talked-about girl names starting with C.

Invented in the early 20th century, along with similar names Sanelma and Anelma. Ihanelma was derived from the Finnish word ihana, meaning "lovely" or "sweet."

Raylynn is a contemporary feminine name that combines the popular 'Ray' prefix with the fashionable 'lynn' suffix. 'Ray' typically derives from Raymond, meaning 'wise protector,' or may reference 'ray of light,' suggesting brightness and hope. The 'lynn' element comes from the Welsh word for 'lake' or 'waterfall.' This compound name emerged primarily in the United States in the latter half of the 20th century as part of the trend toward created names with melodious sounds. Raylynn gained modest popularity in the 1990s and 2000s, particularly in southern states. The name has a modern, feminine quality while maintaining a connection to nature imagery through its component parts.

Dynamo is a newly-invented word name that's on trend in several different ways. It's got an o ending, an uplifting meaning, and it's gender-neutral. And what kid wouldn't want Dynamo as a middle name?

Nariah is a contemporary feminine name that has gained popularity in the United States since the early 2000s. It appears to be a modern variation or blend of names like Mariah, Norah, or Aria, potentially influenced by biblical names ending with the '-iah' suffix, which means 'of God' in Hebrew. While not having deep historical roots, Nariah has a melodic quality and contemporary appeal that resonates with parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible. The name conveys a sense of grace and uniqueness, following naming trends that favor vowel-rich names with flowing sounds. Nariah has steadily increased in usage but remains uncommon enough to be considered a distinctive choice.

A name inspired by such popular choices as Hailey, Halsey, and Hallie.

An intriguing, plausible name--kind of a Nell-Hillary combo--created by L. Frank Baum for a character in his book The Lost Princess of Oz.

See JALEN.

Mistelle is a modern invention combining Misty with the evergreen feminine suffix 'elle'. This name is occasionally seen in Australia.

Illusia was created in 1944 by the Finnish author Yrjö Kokko for his fairy tale Pessi and Illusia. In the story, Illusia is a rainbow-dwelling fairy who falls in love with an initially-pessimistic troll, appropriately named Pessi. The fairy tale was adapted into a movie in 1984 and is also a ballet in Finland.

Ungainly hybrid of Randi and Danielle.

Actress Gabrielle Union and basketball great Dwyane Wade brought this one into the lexicon when they chose in for their daughter, Kaavia James.

Dailyn is a contemporary feminine name that emerged in popularity during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. With its melodic two-syllable structure, Dailyn represents the modern trend of created names with appealing sounds and optional spelling variations (including Daylin, Daelyn). The name likely draws inspiration from the prefix 'Day-' combined with the popular feminine suffix '-lyn,' suggesting brightness and light. Dailyn has a fresh, modern feel while remaining relatively uncommon, appealing to parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible. The name has gradually gained modest usage in the United States, particularly in the 2000s, and carries an upbeat, positive connotation associated with daily renewal and optimism.

Amalisa is a smoosh of the prefix of Amabel and Amanda, which means lovable, and Lisa, a diminutive of Elizabeth that's long been used on its own. In some ways, it's an improvement on all of its root names -- fresher and more distinctive than Amanda or Lisa and easier to understand than Amabel, which is often confused with Annabel. Though Amalisa can be similarly confused with Annalisa which will inevitably become annoying.

Lakyn is a modern feminine name that emerged in the late 20th century in the United States. It appears to be a creative variation of names like Laken (meaning 'from the lake') or a blend of the popular 'La-' prefix with a distinctive ending. Lakyn has a contemporary sound that appeals to parents seeking something unique yet accessible. The name has remained relatively uncommon, allowing those named Lakyn to stand out while still having a name that's easy to pronounce and spell. Its popularity peaked in the early 2010s but remains a distinctive choice for girls, often associated with attributes like individuality and modern sensibility.

A famous bearer is Valaida Snow (1904-1956), an American jazz musician who achieved international renown.

She looked like a model but she was really an evil many-tentacled monster in Men in Black: your child will never forgive you if you choose this name. And neither will we.

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