Invented Girl Names

When British beauty Laura Hollin morphed into supermodel Agyness Deyn, she created a name few others would want to adopt.

Variation of Kathryn.

Girl names ending in lani are one of the hottest trends of recent years, thanks to the lilting and lyrical Hawaiian name Leilani. Leilani has inspired a number of offshoots, including Kehlani and Meilani.

Elphaba was invented by Gregory Maguire for the protagonist of his novel Wicked, which became the long-running Broadway play and then a movie. Elphaba is the name of the Wicked Witch of the West, unnamed in the Oz books, and is drawn from the initials of Oz creator L. Frank Baum.

Part Cameron, part Amber, Camber may be a new name but it feels right for our times. As a word, camber means a slightly arched surface.

Chevelle is a feminine name with French influences, deriving popularity primarily from the iconic American muscle car produced by Chevrolet in the 1960s and 70s. The name carries connotations of speed, power, and sleek design. While originally emerging as a brand name, Chevelle has gained traction as a given name in recent decades, particularly appealing to parents seeking modern, distinctive options with an edge of coolness. The name has a contemporary feel with its -elle ending that connects it to traditional feminine names while maintaining its unique automotive association. Though still relatively uncommon, Chevelle has seen increased usage in the United States, reflecting broader trends toward brand-inspired names and distinctive sounds with French-influenced endings.

A modern invention that combines Taylor's ending with the kool initial K.

Lynn is a particularly popular suffix for combination names, dating from the days of Marilyn through Katelynn to today's Ashlyn and Brooklyn and, right, Skylynn (or Skylyn or Skylinn or Skylynne). Skylynn is probably more influenced by the trendy Skylar than by word name Sky, but Skylar itself is a variation on the Dutch Schuyler.

Like cousin Shakira, captivating and evocative.

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

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."

Created by lovers of the ae vowel combo.

Created by novelist Clive Barker for an entire universe in his book Imajica: strange but magical.

This spelling of the name entered the US Top 1000 in 2001, rising until it found its apex at Number 487 in 2009. It has since been trending in the opposite direction. As with all her sister spellings—Jaelyn, Jaelynn, Jaylin, Jalyn—we urge you to consider a name that has more substance and doesn't sound like the word "jail."

Jazelle is a modern feminine name with multiple possible origins. It can be viewed as a creative elaboration of names like Jazz or Jasmine, combined with the popular feminine suffix '-elle.' The name conveys a sense of musical elegance and uniqueness. While not among the most common names in the United States or other English-speaking countries, Jazelle gained some recognition in the early 2000s as parents sought distinctive yet melodious names. The name carries connotations of liveliness, rhythm, and contemporary style. Its exotic sound makes it appealing to parents looking for a name that stands out while remaining relatively easy to pronounce and spell.

While contemporary, Jaslyn is a compound name with a kind of old school sound, ala Marilyn. It's a combination of musical word name Jazz or an abbreviated form of flower name Jasmine, plus Lynn, which means, which means lake.

Daylin is a modern unisex name that has gained more popularity as a feminine name in recent decades. It combines the bright, optimistic imagery of 'day' with the popular '-lin' suffix found in names like Kaylin and Jaylin. This contemporary creation follows the trend of names with natural elements and appealing sounds. Daylin first appeared in American naming records in the 1990s and saw modest growth in the early 2000s. The name has a fresh, light quality that suggests sunshine and positivity. Its modern sound appeals to parents seeking something distinctive but not difficult to pronounce or spell. While not among the top-ranked names, Daylin represents the contemporary preference for names that blend familiar elements in new combinations, creating something unique yet accessible.

Ungainly hybrid of Randi and Danielle.

Raeleigh is a modern feminine name that blends the popular 'Rae' prefix with the trending '-leigh' suffix. It's a creative variation of more traditional names like Rachel or Raelyn. The name has gained modest popularity in the United States since the early 2000s, particularly among parents seeking unique yet melodic names for their daughters. While 'Rae' typically derives from Rachel (meaning 'ewe' in Hebrew) or can be a diminutive of Raymond (meaning 'wise protector'), the '-leigh' element adds a contemporary flair while maintaining the same sound as 'lee' or 'ly' endings. Raeleigh embodies a sweet, graceful quality with its flowing syllables while still having distinctive character.