Invented Baby Names

Spelling variation of Erin invented for a character on the science fiction TV show Farscape.

Aeryn

A combination of Cyrus and Tyler, or any similar names. It may also be a variation of the surname Seiler, which means "rope maker."
 
Cyler first appeared on the charts for boys in 1985, and peaked in 2009 when it was given to 45 baby boys.

Cyler

Daxter feels like a blend between Dexter and Baxter. If you like it better than either of those, then go for it.

Daxter

A rare smoosh of Dontae and Octavius, also spelled Dontavious.

Dontavius

A modern invented name, taken directly from the French phrase "J'adore", meaning "I love".

Jadore

This newer sounding coalition of Jennifer and Vanessa is gaining in popularity, though it's still quite rare. Only 15 baby girls were named Jenessa last year.

Jenessa

Meryl is a name that's at once rare and famous, thanks to Meryl (born Mary Louise) Streep. Streep's name is an invented short form of Mary Louise, but Meryl might also be a contraction of the unique Irish name Meriel.

Fewer than 25 baby girls were named Meryl in the US last year, perhaps because the name is so closely tied to Streep. And Meriel is even rarer -- used for fewer than five babies -- and arguably more appealing.

Meryl

A modern combo name created from Zoe + Ella – or, in the case of influential British Youtuber Zoella, from Zoë + Elizabeth.

Zoella

More neo than Neo, this is a name heard in the Power Rangers film title Power Rangers Zeo.

Is it a form of Zayden? Zyden? We're not quite sure. NFL player Odell Beckham Jr. chose this sleek, practically vowelless name for his son, born in 2022.

Zydn

A common Basque name first used in French Basque writer Agosti Xaho's 1845 work "The Legend of Aitor."

Aitor

The popular Aiden has spawned a legion of offshoots used mostly for boys but sometimes for girls too: Brayden, Caden, Kayden, Zaiden and so on. While it is now predominantly used on boys, back in the late 2000s and early 2010s, it was used more equally on girls. In a recent count, the name has fallen out of favor, with only 14 girls receiving the name in 2023. 

Kaidyn

In Disney's Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Kida is a warrior princess from the lost city of Atlantis. Her full name in the film is Kidagakash, which was created for the film. Read more about Kida and other <a href="https://nameberry.com/blog/disney-princess-names">Disney Princess Names</a> in our featured blog.

Kida

Top 100 choice in Puerto Rico that is relatively unknown outside of the territory.

Kendriel

Lakelyn is a fast-rising girl name of the last decade, combining a nature word with the ever-fashionable -lyn suffix.  It is occasionally given to baby boys too (more than 30 since 2020), no doubt helped by the similarity to Lachlan.

Lakelyn

Mix a bit of old-fashioned Jane with the male-inflected Zane, et voila. 

Zhane

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.

Camber

Probably an offshoot of Deanna, lacking much identity of its own. 

Reanna

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.

Dondre

This attractive name was created by JRR Tolkien for his The Lord Of The Rings trilogy. It was given to Aragorn by Galadriel and later adopted by him as King of Gondor.

Elessar

 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 30)

Invented Baby Names (with Meanings & Popularity)