Invented Girl Names

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.

Perhaps the best known of the La names that peaked in the 1980s, it stems from the biblical Keziah, plus the gallic La prefix that rose to prominence centuries ago among the Creole people and Free Blacks of New Orleans.

Credit, of course, to the artist for inventing this secretive pseudonym, but we actually have Hilary Duff to thank for Banksy as a baby name. Banksy is Duff's nickname for her daughter Banks, born in 2018. Banksy debuted on the charts in 2020, when it was used for seven baby girls.

Though trendy Arlo is increasingly unisex -- especially since Leighton Meester and Adam Brody gave it to their daughter -- this is a more explicitly female way to spell it. It was one of the fastest-rising girls' names of 2017 and will be among the trendy unique unisex names of the future.

Former Miss Universe and former Mrs. Marc Anthony, Dayanara Torres has made a more lasting success of her name.

The name Drasna was created for a Pokémon character. Her name was derived from the Latin botanical name dracaena, which in turn is from drakōn, the Greek word for "dragon." Fittingly, Drasna used Dragon-type Pokémon in battle.

The further you move away from the original Briana, the feminine form of Brian first used by Edmund Spenser in The Faerie Queen, the more invented and less authentic you get. But many parents want the distance from Brian as Breanna -- or Breana or Breeanna or any of the other variations -- feels more like its own name.

Amber begot Ember expanded into Emberly, Emberlyn, and Emberlynn -- and undoubtedly many more variations. Emberlyn has a rhythmic Kimberly vibe too, so it might be an honor name for a grandma Amber, Kim, or Lynn.

The ultimate romantic elaboration of Winter, Wyntreaux feels like it's straight out of a fantasy novel.

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.

Epponnee-Rae — full name Epponnee-Raelene Kathleen Darlene Charlene Craig — is the daughter of Kim and Brett on the early aughts Australian sitcom Kath & Kim.

A combination name and an English surname, Brynley has trendy sounds, nature-related meanings, and has a double dose of the cool letter Y. Despite this, it is less popular than its Top 1000 counterparts, Brinley, Brynlee, and Brynleigh, and given to around 170 girls each year. Actress Brynley Stent is a notable bearer, as are fitness influencer Brynley Joyner and Instagram star and dancer, Brynley Arnold.

A widespread name in Italy and Romania, the lovely Loredana is often claimed to have been invented by French author George Sand for a character in her 1833 novel Mattea. However, it also belonged to a 16th century Italian botanist, Loredana Marcello, known for developing treatments for various ailments. It probably derives from the Venetian surname Loredan, from the place name Loreo "laurel grove".

Vanellope is a Disney creation, given to the protagonist of "Wreck it Ralph" and now a character on Sugar Rush. She is energetic, tomboyish and very sassy. Read more about Vanellope and other Disney Princess Names in our featured blog.

Yalitza burst onto the scene in 2019, the year following the film Roma, starring the indigenous Mexican actress Yalitza Aparicio. Her name is a modern Mexican invented name, styled after the similar name Yaritza. -itza is a common diminutive suffix found in names such as Maritza, a nickname for Maria.

Zamari has a lot going for it — a fashionable -ari ending, distinctive Z initial, and gender-neutrality too. The name has nearly doubled in use in the last decade, with 120 boys and 40 girls receiving the name in 2023. Particularly popular among the African American community, it likely takes its inspiration from the similar Amari, Jamari, or Kamari.

A combination name and an English surname, Brynleigh has trendy sounds and two possible nature meanings. Less popular than its counterparts, Brinley and Brynlee, it is nevertheless still in the US Top 1000.

Combines the prefix of Brayden and the trendy -lee suffix, and has the marks of the popular Bailey.

Bright and pretty, resembling Aaliyah, Delilah, Amaya and Sarah, Sariyah is a celestial and stylish choice,

Softer version of hot Harley or Marley.