Invented Girl Names

If you can add Lynn to a name, someone will and Mae is no exception to the rule. This compound name sits somewhere between the mid-century charm of Marilyn, Jerilyn, and Jocelyn, and the contemporary cool vibes of Jazlynn, Oaklynn, and Emberlynn.

Lusamine was created for a character in Pokemon Sun and Moon. Her name was based on the word balsamine, which refers to the balsam plant.

This ancient-looking name is actually a 20th century invention, on the model of Suzanne, Marianne, Yvonne and other similar names. It is the name of a seer in Guy Gavriel Kay’s Fionavar Tapestry trilogy, and notable real-life bearers include musician and food writer Ysanne Spevack, and English actress Ysanne Churchman.

Name of the imaginary Queen of Ix created by L. Frank Baum for one of his Oz books.

A Frenchy name that doesn't exist in France, probably an attempt to create a classy feminine version of John or Johnny by rhyming it with Monet.

Inspired by the Mazda sportscar. 'Nough said.

Is Evalynn an alternative spelling for the popular Evelyn or is it a smoosh name blending Eva and Lynn? It could be either, so the choice is yours.

This variant of Zaniah debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2007.

Timberly emerged on the charts in 1960 as an alternative to Kimberly. It never caught on and has been given to no more than 25 baby girls each year since. These days it may also be seen as an elaboration of Timber, an up-and-coming gender-neutral nature name.

Rising star Nailah Blackman is a Trinidadian singer.

Laudine is a name from Arthurian legend, created in the 12th century by poet Chrétien de Troyes for his romance titled Yvain. Laudine, known as the Lady of the Fountain, marries the protagonist, Yvain, after he slays her husband.

Khalani debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2020 thanks to the influence of Khalani Simon — known as Lani Love — a child model and budding star.

An elaboration on popular Ava which was chosen by YouTubers the Banks family in 2019, and subsequently became the fastest rising girl name of the following year.

The Social Security Lists show Willodean and its variant spellings to have been used throughout the 1920s and 30s especially in Southern states. There are a few theories on its origins (an invented name created to honor William/Willard and a a female name ending in "-dine", or it may be an Anglicization of a Native American name). Either way, it has a willowy sweetness that deserves a comeback.

This perfume name, undoubtedly a takeoff on the French word for pretty, has somehow wafted into the girls' lexicon. Too commercial.

Novalyne Price Ellis was a 20th century writer best known for One Who Walked Alone, a memoir about her relationship with pulp fiction writer Robert E. Howard, the inventor of Conan the Barbarian, which was adapted into a movie starring Renee Zellwegger.

An amalgam of Brianna and Sienna that doesn't quite work.

Adalee's rise is thanks to the current fashion for all names ada-related. It does have a sweet melodic charm.