Invented Baby Names (with Meanings & Popularity)
- Zee
Origin:
Invented nameDescription:
As a nickname for one of the longer Z-starting choices, maybe, but not as a name unto itself.
- Renley
Origin:
English, modern invented name or surnameMeaning:
"edge of the meadow, edge of the clearing"Description:
With the sprightly "Ren" and "Wren" currently in fashion, and "ley" a productive suffix to create new names, this combination was inevitable, and is chirpy and appealing. Renley has been on the US charts for girls since 2012, and for boys since 2013. It probably got a boost from the Game of Thrones character Renly Baratheon, albeit with a slightly different spelling.
- Melba
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Australian opera singer Nellie Melba—self-named for her hometown of Melbourne—inspired this now-dated name more associated today with a peach dessert and dietetic toast.
- Janyla
Description:
Janyla appears to be a modern invented name that emerged in American naming practices during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The name likely combines the popular prefix 'Jan-' (found in names like Janet or Janice, ultimately derived from John, meaning 'God is gracious' in Hebrew) with the increasingly common suffix '-yla' that appears in many contemporary names. This construction follows patterns seen in modern naming innovations, where familiar elements are combined to create distinctive sounds. Janyla has seen modest usage since the 2000s but remains relatively uncommon. The name exemplifies contemporary creative naming practices, where parents blend recognizable name components to create unique personal identifiers. The soft vowel sounds and flowing quality of the name align with current preferences for melodic feminine names.
- Sariah
Origin:
Variation of SarahDescription:
Sariah is the perfect compromise name for when you say Sarah, and your spouse says Mariah. Spelled Saria, it's a character in the video game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
- Raylan
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Raylan may be on the rise as a baby name thanks to (male) TV lawman Raylan Givens, but the name is also occasionally used for girls: the statistical gender split is 15 to 1. The -lan ending might be thought of as Lynn-like, with Raylan an updated spin on such midcentury concoctions as Rae-Lynn.
- Itzayana
Origin:
Spanish variation of ItzelDescription:
Itzayana, one of the fastest-rising girls' names of 2016, feels like a distant cousin of the ultra-popular Isabella.
- Amiyah
Origin:
American variation of Amaya and Amaia, SpanishMeaning:
"the end"Description:
While this name is a phonetic variant of Amaya and Amaia, its popularity could also stem from its similarity to names such as Aliyah, Amelia, and Amara too. It entered the US Top 1000 back in 2003, peaked in 2017 at #257, but has been on decline in recent years. Nevertheless, it is one of four variations of Amaia in the Top 1000 and when you combine these names together, they were collectively given to 3256 babies in a recent year, making the name *feel* or at least *sound* like a Top 100 choice, similarly popular to Ruby, Claire, Audrey, or Alice.
- Arleigh
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Softer version of hot Harley or Marley.
- Briley
Origin:
Modern invented name or surname, EnglishMeaning:
"briar meadow, briar clearing"Description:
Similar to Brielle and Riley, this name lags quite far behind these more common variations. It peaked at Number 622 in 2009 in the US, but it is now descending the ranks. It coincides with the surname Briley, a contracted form of Brierley, which might be an interesting alternative.
- Zayley
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Zayley -- which may also be styled Zaylee or Zaylie or Zalie, among other spellings -- is a member of the squad of names that include Bailey, Hayley, and Kaylee and is always welcoming new members.
- Semaj
Origin:
Variation of James, English from HebrewMeaning:
"supplanter"Description:
Popular enough in the Indian community to have made it onto the US Top 1000 every year from 2001 to 2014 and now again in 2023, possibly inspired by Jamaican activist Leachim Semaj (born Michael James).
- Kyron
Description:
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.
- Kayleigh
Origin:
Variation of Kaylee, EnglishMeaning:
"laurel, crown"Description:
The -leigh suffix seems to be losing its luster; several names in this category, including Kayleigh, Kyleigh and Ryleigh, peaked in popularity a few years back but have since lost quite a bit of ground.
- Brevin
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
If you're tired of Kevin and Devin, you might consider the newly coined Brevin.
- Brayan
Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese variation of Brian, modern inventionMeaning:
"strong, virtuous"Description:
As a Spanish and Portuguese name, Brayan is a variant of the Celtic Brian, familiar in Mexico, Brazil, Spain, Italy and France. As a modern invention, it blends Brayden with Bryan, tying it the to the strong meaning of Brian and the fish-related meaning of Braden.
- Zemi
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
The advent of Zemi is likely due to the ultra-stylish name Remi, which has been picking up steam for girls and boys. Zemi debuted in 2020, when it was given to six baby girls.
- Ozma
Origin:
Literary inventionDescription:
Princess Ozma was the leading character of L. Frank Baum's book Ozma of Oz.
- Jaxxon
Origin:
Variation of Jaxon or JacksonDescription:
Why use one x when you can use two?
- Cyler
Origin:
Invented nameDescription:
A combination of Cyrus and Tyler, or any similar names. It may also be a variation of the surname Seiler, which means "rope maker."
The Nameberry App Is Live

Find your perfect baby name together in our iPhone app, now available on the App Store.
- Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
- Names you match on are saved to your shared list
- Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
- Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
- Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.


