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Invented Baby Names (with Meanings & Popularity)

  1. Evolet

    • Origin:

      Modern invented name

    • Description:

      This name coined for a character in the movie 10,000 BC, feels right on trend right now, given the popularity of Evie, Eva, Evelyn etc. In the movie, the name’s meaning is given as "the promise of life", but some creative parents have used the alternative spelling Evoleht — "the love" spelt backwards. Other spelling variants that have appeared on the SSA list include Evolette, Evalette, Evalet and Evoleth.
  2. Kinley

    • Origin:

      Scottish surname

    • Meaning:

      "fair hero"

    • Description:

      A Scottish surname name, more popular as the Presidential McKinley, meaning "son of the fair hero".
  3. Eiden

    • Origin:

      Gaelic

    • Meaning:

      "little fire"

    • Description:

      One of many Aidan variations — all stemming from the original Gaelic Aodhán — Eiden was the third fastest-rising boy name of 2023 and a new entry to the US Top 1000. Interestingly, despite this spelling's current success, Aidan, Aiden, Ayden, and Aden are all on the downswing.
  4. Clea

    • Origin:

      Literary name

    • Description:

      An attractive and unusual name that may be a variation of Cleo, Clea was possibly invented by Lawrence Durrell for a character in his Alexandria Quartet.
  5. Nylah

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "winner"

    • Description:

      Nylah is the Arabic name of a princess -- Nyla is another variation -- that's rising quickly through the ranks, partly thanks to an adorable kitty that enjoyed 15 minutes of YouTube fame. But we predict this attractive and unusual name will get a longer turn in the sun than the pop-culture cat.
  6. Semaj

    • Origin:

      Variation of James, English from Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"

    • Description:

      Semaj is part of a special club of names created by spelling other names backward (meet the president, Nevaeh). Semaj is a reversal of James and is used primarily for boys. But ever since James became fair game for girls, so did Semaj — it's now unisex in usage.
  7. Jayla

    • Origin:

      Modern spelling of Jaalah, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "to ascend"

    • Description:

      Not quite as unusual as it might seem, it first entered the popularity list in 1995, as a possible alternative to the very popular Kayla. In the Bible, an alternate spelling is Jaala.
  8. Maxton

    • Origin:

      English surname, elaboration of Max, Latin,"Maccas's homestead; greatest town"

    • Meaning:

      "Maccas's homestead; greatest town"

    • Description:

      Maxton is a new member of the ever-expanding Max clan of baby names, hitting the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2011. It joined newfangled Maxon and stylish cousin Paxton, though it did drop out of the charts in 2023.
  9. Renley

    • Origin:

      and ley

    • Meaning:

      "clearing, meadow"

    • 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.
  10. Maxon

    • Origin:

      American invented name, literary name, elaboration of Max, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "greatest"

    • Description:

      The newly-styled Maxon takes its cue from Jaxon, another elaboration of a classic name on the rise. Maxon is not bad, as invented names go, yet it's hard for us to advocate for Maxon over Maxwell, Maxfield, Maximus, or just plain Max.
  11. Lyanna

    • Origin:

      Modern invented name

    • Description:

      One of many influential names invented by George R.R. Martin for "A Song of Ice and Fire." Lyanna Stark was the courageous, high-spirited younger sister of Ned Stark, whose broken engagement to Robert Baratheon set off a civil war. Young Lyanna Mormont of Bear Island -- a very memorable character in HBO's "Game of Thrones" -- was named after Lyanna Stark.
  12. Braden

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "wide valley"

    • Description:

      One of the trendiest of the new two-syllable boys’ names that have swept the country in the past few years, including the rhyming Aidan, Caden, Kaden, and Jaden. It's been falling on the US Top 1000 lately but it is still among the most popular contemporary English names for boys..
  13. Aizen

    • Description:

      Aizen is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Japanese culture, it can refer to Aizen Myōō, a Buddhist deity of love and passion whose name means 'red lotus.' In Hebrew, Aizen can be a variant spelling of Eisen or Ayzen, meaning 'strong' or 'iron.' The name has gained some recognition through popular culture, particularly from the anime series 'Bleach,' which features a character named Sōsuke Aizen. While relatively uncommon globally, Aizen appeals to parents seeking a short, distinctive name with cross-cultural significance. Its strong sound and meaningful associations with strength or passion make it an intriguing choice for modern parents, especially those with Japanese or Hebrew heritage connections.

  14. Rosabel

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful rose"

    • Description:

      Rosabel, a vintage smoosh name created in the 18th century, feels slightly less frilly than her cousins Rosabelle and Rosabella. It could make for a more distinctive alternative to Isabel, or an unusual name that gets you to sweet nicknames Rosie or Belle.
  15. Nim

    • Origin:

      Modern invented name

    • Description:

      Australian writer Wendy Orr put this name on the map with her hit Nim's Island" series of children's books, about a smart young girl who lives on an island in the South Pacific. Abigail Breslin played Nim in a 2008 film adaptation of the book.
  16. Enola

    • Origin:

      English literary name and place name, Cherokee

    • Meaning:

      "alone; black fox"

    • Description:

      Enola has a lot of potential as a name: it includes the stylish 'nola' sound; it follows a similar letter pattern to the likes of Elora, Elara, and Elodie; it has a hint of Nevaeh about it, given that it is "alone" spelled backwards; it's familiar but not popular. For many decades, however, it was known only in relation to the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the Enola Gay, and has been understandably avoided.
  17. Sonder

    • Origin:

      Invented name

    • Meaning:

      "the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own"

    • Description:

      A neologism coined for the 2012 Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, which aims to come up with new terms for emotions that currently lack words
  18. Aniya

    • Origin:

      Arabic, English "helper; grace"

    • Meaning:

      "helper; grace"

    • Description:

      Aniya is a a cross-cultural choice with a bright, fresh sound. While alternative spelling Aniyah is in the US and UK Top 1000, Aniya dropped out of the charts in 2021, and is now given to around 250 girls each year.
  19. Draven

    • Origin:

      Modern invented name

    • Description:

      Inspired by Brandon Lee's character in The Crow and Cuba Gooding Jr.'s in In the Shadows, this name, with its Wiccan feel, was used by a member of Linkin Park. It has ranked in the US Top 1000 since 1995.
  20. Zayden

    • Origin:

      Modern invented name

    • Description:

      The most popular spelling of the fast-climbing member of the Aiden-rhyming clan is used by parents who love the first initial Z. Zaiden is nearly as popular, and Zaden is a ways behind.