Invented Girl Names

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.
 
Nicknames Elfie, Ellie, Elle, or Abbie could make it feel more grounded.

Elphaba

The Estonian equivalent of Annelise, combining Ene (an Estonian form of Anna or Hendrika) with Eliisabet.

Eneli

Eniko Hart makes this Japanese name familiar in the US. In Hungary, it's a literary name invented by the poet Mihály Vörösmarty in the 19th century. He based it on the name of the legendary mother of the Hungarian people, Enéh.

Eniko

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

Enjoli

Epponnee-Rae — full name Epponnee-Raelene Kathleen Darlene Charlene Craig — is the daughter of Kim and Brett on the early aughts Australian sitcom Kath & Kim.
 
Her name was invented as a parody of the "bogan" baby name style considered trendy at the time. In the show, Kim also considered names like Tailuh (Taylor) and Typhphaanniii (Tiffany) for her daughter.
 
If you like the sound of Epponnee but can't get past its origins, you could consider the French name Eponine or the English surname Epperly, also made famous by a television series, in this case, Gossip Girl.

Epponnee

We think Esmarie rolls off the tongue better.

Esmaria

Esmerlinda appears to be a blended name, combining "Esmeralda" and "Linda".  

Esmerlinda

Though it doesn't have historic roots--it was created by L. Frank Baum for a Princess character in his book Ozma of Oz--Evella could fit well into the Eve-Eva-Evelyn group now coming back into favor.

Evella

A combination-type name invented by L. Frank Baum for a Princess character who first appears in his book Ozma of Oz.

Evrose

It sounds like a genuine French name, but it's an invention, made famous by actress Garcelle Beauvais. 

Garcelle

A fanciful concoction whipped up by L. Frank Baum for a beautiful and powerful princess in one of his Oz books.

Gayelette

Gidget was the surfer girl who started it all. She was the subject of six novels by Frederick Kohner, and the 1959 film in which she made her theatrical debut, starring Sandra Dee, helped make surfing a popular sport. Today, her name feels fun, sunny and retro. Or rather, her nickname: the character's given name was Franzie, Gidget was her nom de surf, formed by combining "girl" and "midget."

Gidget

Glail

Glinda is famous as the name of the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz, invented by author L. Frank Baum. but has there ever been a real life, non-fictional Glinda? Not in the US last year.
 
The name may be related to the Welsh Glenda, itself a 20th century invention or to the Germanic Galinda, as used by Gregory Maguire in his Wizard of Oz spin off, Wicked.

Glinda

God'iss Love is the full name of the daughter of R & B singer Lil' Mo, who decided to move beyond Trinity and Genesis and turn her child's name into a statement. Her sister is called Heaven. 

God'iss

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

Hailsey

Harleth is a name which probably stems from combining the oh-so-trendy Harlow with the evergreen Elizabeth. However, literary parents may also remember the beautiful but difficult character Gwendolen Harleth from George Eliot's Daniel Deronda. Harleth has a fashionable edge to it, being associated with rising supermodel Harleth Kuusik. We think that Harleth is a pretty alternative to Harlow and hope to see more of it.

Harleth

Icylinn Goodman is a Gen-Z social media starlet whose previously one-of-a-kind name appeared on the charts in 2021. Ice-themed names have never been cooler (literally) — that year saw the rise of names such as Icelynn, Icy, and Ice itself.

Icylinn

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."

Ihanelma

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.
 
Illusionist Criss Angel named his daughter Illusia Angelina.

Illusia

 are as creative as they come. The only way to ensure that your daughter will have a one-of-a-kind name is to invent one yourself! Unless, of course, you invent 

 good of a name and it catches on... (ahem, Abrielle and Wrenley).

In addition to Abrielle and Wrenley, other 

 include Kaylee, Milani, Haisley, Nevaeh, Jaliyah, Mazikeen, Novalee, and Skyla.

We tend to think of invented girl names as a modern phenomenon, but plenty of classic and well-established names are the result of someone's ingenuity. Shakespeare invented the name Jessica, for example. Other

s, such as Khaleesi and Jovie, and celebrities with invented names have been known to popularize the likes of Miley, Kimora, and Banksy.

Many made-up girl names are a combination of 

Below, see our entire collection of invented names for girls.

Invented and made up modern baby girl names including history, origin, and popularity. (Page 23)