Invented Baby Names

Lagging about 400 slots behind the original.

Makhi

Xavion is a modern variant of the name Xavier, which derives from the Basque place name Etxeberria, meaning "new house." The name gained popularity in the United States during the late 20th and early 21st centuries, showing a distinctive pattern of increased usage beginning in the 1990s. Xavion maintains the strong 'X' sound of Xavier but adds a contemporary ending. The name experienced modest popularity peaks in the early 2000s, particularly in the southern United States. Xavion follows a naming trend of creating variations with distinctive suffixes added to traditional names. The name carries associations with Saint Francis Xavier, a notable 16th-century Spanish missionary, though Xavion itself is a more recent creation without the same historical depth as its root name.

Xavion

One of many variations of the name Brinley, with its on-trend -lee ending and inclusion of the "Brynn" sound. This form has never been in the US Top 1000, though Brynlee, Brinley, and Brynleigh are. 

Brinlee

Kasyn is a modern masculine name that has emerged in recent decades as part of the trend toward unique spellings and contemporary-sounding names. It likely developed as a variant of Casey or possibly as an alternative spelling of Cason. The name has a strong, succinct sound with its crisp consonants and straightforward pronunciation. While its specific etymological origins are not firmly established, it shares qualities with both Celtic names (like Casey, meaning 'vigilant' or 'alert') and surnames-turned-first-names. Kasyn remains relatively uncommon, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive yet accessible modern name for their sons.

Kasyn

One of the most popular <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/192/african-names">African names</a> for boys, Kymani was in the US Top 1000 list from 2008 until 2016. Spelled Ky-mani, it's the name of Bob Marley's son.

Kymani

On one hand, this may be a twist on the unisex Emery, to make it more obviously feminine - and to make it stand out from Emery, Emory, and Emerie, which all rank in the US Top 600.
 
Alternatively, it is a smoosh name, combining the classic names, Emma and Marie, into something that sounds modern and on trend. This could work as an unexpected honor name if you happen to what to honor an Emma (or an Emmett, an Emily, or an Emmanuel) and a Marie (or a Maria or a Mary) at the same time.
 
Emmarie made a brief appearance in the US Top 1000 back in 2018 when it was given to 265 girls.

Emmarie

Kaylin and all of its forms have made many appearances in the Top 1000 in recent years. Kailyn is also the Turkish goddess of crossroads, kings and queens.

Kailyn

Rising star Nailah Blackman is a Trinidadian singer.

Nailah

German author Michael Ende created the name Atreyu for the protagonist of his 1979 novel The Neverending Story. In the original German translation of the book, the hero was Atréju — Atreyu is the Anglicized variation. Atreyu was orphaned as an infant and raised by his village — his name is said to mean "son of all" in the local language.
 
The name was brought to wider attention when the film adaptation was released in 1984. It made its first appearance on the charts the following year when 5 baby boys were named Atreyu. The California metalcore band Atreyu, who named themselves after the character, keeps the name in the public consciousness. Atreyu has been given to over 100 baby boys each year for over a decade, and 2018 saw the introduction of the variation Atreyus.

Atreyu

Marlo first came to prominence as a perky, pretty nickname name that seemed to have been invented by or for Marlo Thomas, who was born Margaret. But Marlow and Marlowe are English surnames meaning driftwood, are more popular forms of the name, giving it historical depth and a nature meaning. And Marlo is the most truly gender-neutral, given to about 100 babies of each sex last year.

Marlo

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. 


Camari

A modern(ish) invented name, only in widespread use since the 20th century. It is a combination of the English word darling and the popular midcentury suffix -lene. It was recently used on a character in the BBC comedy-crime drama, Death in Paradise.

Darlene

Emberleigh made its all-time debut on the charts in 2009, rising steadily each year. It could be a future member of the Top 1000.

Emberleigh

Jakhari is a modern masculine name with African-American origins. It appears to be a creative variation of names like Jahari (meaning 'powerful' or 'strength' in Swahili) with the addition of the letter 'k'. Jakhari has gained some usage in the United States since the late 1990s but remains relatively uncommon, giving it a distinctive quality. The name has a melodic rhythm with its three syllables and conveys a sense of strength and uniqueness. Like many contemporary African-American names, Jakhari represents cultural innovation and personalization in naming practices.

Jakhari

Devonte is a modern American name with African-American origins, created as a variant of Devon or DeVon. The distinctive ending gives it a more melodic quality while maintaining its strong masculine sound. The name gained popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s, particularly within African-American communities. While not among the top-ranked names nationally, Devonte has maintained a steady presence in naming patterns. It carries connotations of uniqueness and individuality, often associated with creativity and personal expression. Some notable namesakes include athletes and musicians who have helped familiarize the name in popular culture.

Devonte

Kiari is the middle name of the celebrity child of rappers Cardi B and Offset...and also the first name on her dad's birth certificate. If you like unique modern names, this is an attractive option that's a fresh spin on more established options for both genders, such as Kiara and Kyrie.

Kiari

A mash-up of Ezra and the popular -en ending for boy names, Ezren is a modern invention with legitimate and very on-trend sounds. Borrowing the meaning of Ezra, this name could mean "help" and has also appeared in the stats as Ezryn, and Ezran, both of which can be found in pop culture too.
 
Ezren was chosen for 83 boys in a recent year, while Ezran was given to 69 and Ezryn to 27.

Ezren

Blending the sounds of Bryce, Brian, Riley and Kylie, Bryleigh is a modern invention that ranked in the US Top 1000 from 2010 to 2017, alongside its more popular counterpart, Brylee. Peaking in 2015 when it was given to 320 girls, Bryleigh has since been in decline, pushed out by Brynleigh and Everleigh. 
 
Possible meanings include "speckled meadow", "hill by the meadow", or " thorny woodland clearing", depending on what roots you follow.

Bryleigh

Kyron is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a modern variant of Kieran (from Irish Ciarán meaning 'little dark one'), a form of Cyron (from Greek 'kyrios' meaning 'lord'), or a contemporary creation. With its strong, modern sound and accessible two-syllable structure, Kyron gained modest popularity in English-speaking countries starting in the 1990s and continuing through the 2000s. The name appeals to parents seeking something distinctive yet easy to pronounce, with the trendy 'y' spelling adding a contemporary feel. While uncommon in historical records, Kyron fits well with current naming trends favoring strong-sounding boys' names with unique spellings and cross-cultural appeal.

Kyron

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. 

This contemporary creation emerged as part of the trend toward nature-inspired compound names in the early 21st century. Riverlynn represents the growing preference for unique names with meaningful elements and pleasing sounds. Riverlynn carries connotations of flowing water, tranquility, and natural harmony, appealing to those who value nature connections in naming. Its distinctive character makes it memorable without being difficult to pronounce or spell.

If you haven't been in the baby naming world recently, you may be surprised to learn that more than 150 baby girls were named Riverlynn in the US last year, with another 60 named Riverlyn.

Riverlynn

 are the most creative around. Some parents attempt to come up with a cool name by inventing one of their own. They may alter a too-ordinary name, vary a spelling or pronunciation, or cobble together several euphonic but previously unrelated syllables.

This quest to be unique can sometimes backfire — create too cool of a made-up baby name and it might catch on (we're talking to you, Miley, Meilani, and Maxon).

 include Aubrielle, Brylee, Cason, Dalary, Jaxon, Kyler, Nevaeh, and Oaklynn. Names you may not realize were invented include Elianna, Melba, Tevin, and Yalitza.

 feature on-trend prefixes and suffixes, such as Bray- and Ren-, -ley and -son. The following invented baby names hold some appeal, but fair warning — some of these made-up names have already become mainstream.

Invented and made up modern baby names for girls and boys, including history, origin, and popularity. (Page 16)

Invented Baby Names (with Meanings & Popularity)