Invented Boy Names

In its modern form, Casher is a hybrid of Cash and Asher that debuted in 2019. Historically, Casher — pronounced kah-SHARE — was used among Italian Jews.

Camari is a modern masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Italian word 'camara' meaning 'chamber' or 'room', or have connections to Arabic origins meaning 'moon'. Some see it as a creative variation of names like Cameron or Kamari.

SantiGold was a newly minted name in 2024, chosen by author and journalist Elaine Welteroth for her second son. She explained that she and her husband chose it for its multicultural roots, in that Santi means "peace" in Thai and "saint" in Spanish and Italian. The addition of 'Gold' makes it compound name, symbolic of success, prosperity, and prestige.

This name, which entered the US popularity list in 2000, is a creative mix of Jay plus Savion, as in the dancer, Savion Glover.

An invented name that has its roots in DeAndre or D'Andre, which springs from "the son of Andrew." Feels like half Don or Dion, half Andre or Andrew, but not enough of something unto itself.

A new-style name based on Kyle and a cousin of Dylan, in spelling if not sound or image. Currently in the US Top 600, it is given to more than 500 boys each year.

This contemporary combo name burst onto the scene in tandem with the megasuccess of then-child singer Tevin Campbell in 1989, but has been losing its footing since the start of the millennium.

Khamari is a modern masculine name with African roots, particularly from Swahili origins. The name can be interpreted to mean 'moon' in some contexts, though interpretations vary. It's gained popularity in the United States since the 2000s as parents have sought distinctive names with cultural connections. Khamari offers a balance of uniqueness and accessibility, featuring melodic sounds with its three syllables and flowing rhythm. Often associated with qualities like strength and spirituality, Khamari represents a contemporary choice that stands out without being difficult to pronounce. The name has shown steady but modest usage, appealing to parents looking for a name that's uncommon while still feeling familiar and warm in tone.

The -ah ending makes Jedah read feminine, but it was actually created for a male character in the video game Darkstalkers. One of the many unique baby names inspired by the gaming world.

Daxtyn is a modern masculine name that exemplifies contemporary American naming trends. Likely created as a variant of Daxton (itself a blend of Dax and the popular -ton/-son suffix), Daxtyn follows the pattern of replacing traditional vowels and endings with 'y' and 'yn.' The name has a strong, edgy sound that appeals to parents seeking something distinctive yet on-trend. Though still relatively uncommon, Daxtyn has gained some popularity in the 2010s alongside similar-sounding modern creations. The name offers the friendly nickname Dax while providing a more elaborate formal option.

With Messiah no longer a forbidden choice, alternative spelling options for the now Top 200 name are being considered. Massiah is one such option, thought there is also a chance it could link to the word mashiach meaning "anointed one". In Jewish tradition, this refers to the one who will be crowned king in the End of Days, not to the Biblical Jesus. It is more likely however that Massiah is being used as a form of Messiah, with around 80 boys receiving the name in a recent year.

Pay-names are ultra-hot for girls these days, but they're also fairly popular for boys, in no small part thanks to Peyton Manning.

Why use one x when you can use two?

Attempts to update traditional Josiah have landed this name in the Top 1000. It falls in line with trendy spellings of names that opt for an additional x, y, or z whenever possible.

A hybrid of trendy syllables, but less evocative than the original Taylor.

A seldom-used Game of Thrones name, perhaps because its main originator, Tywin Lannister, is as ruthless as any character in the show. Yet the "ty-" beginning is so ubiquitous and popular that Tywin may have some potential... the fact that it's less well-known than Tyrion probably works in its favor.

Though it's a new name, sounds almost as dated as GARY and DARREN.

Jaquan is a contemporary masculine name that emerged in the United States in the late 20th century. The name appears to combine elements of the popular prefix 'Ja-' (found in names like Jamal and Jabari) with possibly 'Quan,' which may derive from Arabic or other sources meaning 'strength' or 'power.' Another theory suggests influence from the name Juan (Spanish form of John). Jaquan experienced particular popularity in the 1990s, when it entered the U.S. Social Security Administration's top 1000 names list. Its usage patterns show regional variations across different communities in America. The name represents the modern naming trend of creating distinctive combinations that often blend sounds from various linguistic traditions. While fairly uncommon in most regions, Jaquan carries a strong, contemporary sound with a rhythmic quality.

A spelling variation of Kyson, possibly with a hint of pop cultural influence (via the Kardashians and Gigi Hadid). Sometimes recorded to mean "son of Kyle" (or maybe "son of Kylie"), in this case, it could mean "son of Khy" and therefore "son of the sea".