Invented Boy Names

Popular in Puerto Rico since the 2000s and now in the US too, Dariel is a modern, elaborated form or Darrell or Darren, inspired by the likes of Gabriel and Daniel. Darrell (which might also be the inspiration behind Darren) derived from a Norman French surname, d'Airelle, referring to someone who came from Airelle in France.

Updates the tired Derek or Eric.

The Westerosi equivalent of Benjamin -- meaning it's a "Game of Thrones" name, for non-fans -- is most prominently borne in George R.R. Martin's novels by Benjen Stark, younger brother of Eddard Stark and a member of the Night's Watch.

A meeting of two trends — compound names a la Myking and Alegend and money-related -illion names such as Million and Billion.

The invented name Xael debuted on the charts for boys in 2010. It is primarily used among Spanish-speaking families.

A contemporary reconfiguration of Tyler, although perhaps too close to Tylenol to warrant greater popularity. It nevertheless grew in popularity in 2023 and has been borne by actor Tylen James Williams, and music artist Young Thunder (Tylen Fowlkes).

Majora's Mask was the title of a lauded Nintendo 64 game in the Legend of Zelda series, in which Majora was the main villain. The character's name was reportedly coined by the game's art director, Takaya Imamura, using Japanese characters from his own name and the title of the movie Jumanji.

Jadon is the original Biblical form of this name, but Jayden is by far the most popular spelling, currently in the Top 20. Jaydon is borrowing from both versions, but not improving the name in the process. At Number 999 in 2015, it's in danger of dropping of the charts for good.

What do you call it when you're acting like a Kyle? Kylin'.

Invented in 1939 as the name of Marvel Comics character Namor the Sub-Mariner. Bill Everett, the creator, decided on Namor after writing noble, dignified names in reverse—Namor is Roman spelled backwards.

Attempts to update traditional Josiah have landed this name in the Top 1000. It falls in line with trendy spellings of names that opt for an additional x, y, or z whenever possible.

Like Jaxon, Jaxen is an attempt to switch things up from the more popular Jackson. News flash - Jackson is cooler.

Name with an Asian feel, thanks to a Japanese city and Imari porcelain.

Brian meets Riley, this name is more popular for girls. It coincides with the surname Briley, a contracted form of Brierley, which might be an interesting alternative.

One of several variations of Cason - a modern invention based on Jason and Mason, or an Old English surname, derived from Cawston, Caysen is less popular than its siblings Kayson, Kaison, Cayson, and Kason. It is however still given to around 160 boys in the US each year.

Character from the Mortal Kombat video games. Could be an interesting way to get to the nickname Mac.

Pay-names are ultra-hot for girls these days, but they're also fairly popular for boys, in no small part thanks to Peyton Manning.

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 (eight of them in 2020), no doubt helped by the similarity to Lachlan.