Invented Girl Names

Only in use in the US since the late 1950s, Marivel may have originated as a creative spin on Marvel, perhaps influenced by Maribel, which has followed the same popularity trajectory (although much higher up the charts).

Created by lovers of the ae vowel combo.

This French-style name is, in fact, an American creation with only a handful of documented uses throughout history. Maudette combines the mini-name Maud — a medieval short form of Matilda, meaning "battle-mighty" — with the diminutive French suffix -ette.

You could either see this as a smoosh of Cara + Lena (or any name ending in -lena), or a variation on Carolina. Either way, it's a pretty, melodious name that first appeared on the US charts in 2008, and has been used sparingly ever since.

A pretty but none-too-classy amalgamation of Nicole and Keesha.

A name inspired by such popular choices as Hailey, Halsey, and Hallie.

Streamlined Isabella alternative that may have been inspired by names such as the Nahuatl Isel or Dutch Iselle.

Several hundred parents last year chose Jakayla, an elaboration of Kayla, or hybrid of Jacqueline and Makayla.

Another side of Paradise.

A rising respelling of Aviana.

Popular ever since it appeared on the 1987 sitcom A Different World. Inventive variations include Geleexa, Ja Leesa, Ja Lisa, Jaleisa, Jalisa, Jaliza, Jilleesa, Jilleisa, Joleesa, Joleisa.

This name received modest usage throughout the twentieth century, though it was never given to more than a handful of girls in any given year. Its etymology most likely involves the combination of Lou and Eugenia.

Rylynn blends a number of modern trends: love for name Riley, the addition of the -lyn suffix, replacement of a vowel with a Y, a nature-connected meaning, and a slightly unisex, surname-inspired feel. The name peaked in 2019 when 209 girls were given the name, though recent years have seen if decline.

A recent addition to the name lexicon with some real potential.

Illusia was created in 1944 by the Finnish author Yrjö Kokko for his fairy tale Pessi and Illusia. In the story, Illusia is a rainbow-dwelling fairy who falls in love with an initially-pessimistic troll, appropriately named Pessi. The fairy tale was adapted into a movie in 1984 and is also a ballet in Finland.

Also appearing as Jaliyah and Jaleah, Jalayah is mostly likely to be another variation of the popular Aliyah, which has both Hebrew and Arabic origins. In this case, the sounds of Amaya and Alaya might also have been thrown into the mix.