930+ Invented Baby Names (with Meanings & Popularity)
- Davion
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Davion has only ranked in the US Top 1000 since the early 1990s, and its alternate spelling Davian is a more recent entry, first entering the charts in 2004. Their apparent connection to more common names Dave and Damian presumably provided the avenue for their success; however, both names are trending downward with no expected resurgence in the coming years.
- Emmalyn
Description:
Variation of Emma with the popular suffix -lyn.
- Briley
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Similar to Brielle and Riley, this name lags quite far behind these more common variations. It peaked at Number 622 in 2009 in the US, but it is now descending the ranks.
- Atreyus
Origin:
Variation of Atreus or AtreyuMeaning:
"fearless; son of all"Description:
One part fantastical literary invention and one part Ancient Greek, Atreyus is a new and rising name for boys. It's could be viewed as a combination of Atreus, an Ancient Greek name, and Atreyu, created by German author Michael Ende for his novel The Neverending Story.
- Godot
Origin:
Invented nameDescription:
Samuel Beckett, inspired by the French surname Godeau, created the name Godot for his play, Waiting for Godot.Americans tend to pronounce Godot with the emphasis on the second syllable, but Beckett has said this is incorrect. The correct pronunciation is GOD-oh, with the first syllable stressed.
- Renley
Origin:
and leyMeaning:
"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.
- Kensley
Origin:
Variation of KinsleyDescription:
Similar to Kinsley, this modern choice has become much more popular in recent years; it first entered the Top 1000 in 2011. Part of its appeal might be that it sounds reminiscent of the overly-popular McKenzie.
- Braven
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"invented name"Description:
Take modern virtue Brave, add the trendy -n ending, and voilà! A cool new word-meets-surname name which feels bang on trend right now.
- Capitola
Origin:
Literary inventionDescription:
Capitola owes its position on the US Top 1000 to the 1859 novel The Hidden Hand, also known as Capitola the Madcap. It was written by E. D. E. N. Southworth — the initials stand for Eliza Dorothy Emma Nevitte — and serialized first in the 1860s, then in 1883, and was published as a book in 1888.
- Saylah
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Saylah is a name manufactured from elements of Sailor (or Saylor) and Kaylah (or Kayla) to make one of those unique baby names that's not quite genuine. Still, it has a pretty sound and is superior to such inventions as, say, Scarla.
- Caylee
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Caylee was the third fastest-rising name in 2009 and peaked then at Number 263, but has since dropped in the charts, perhaps due to the Caylee Anthony association.
- Siouxsie
Origin:
Modern invented nameMeaning:
"alternative spelling of Susie"Description:
Familiar due to the English musician Siouxsie Sioux, singer of the 1970s-80s rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees. Apart from its complicated look, the inclusion of the Native American tribe name Sioux in this name feels inappropriate by today's standards. Stick with Susie or Suzie.
- Itzayana
Origin:
Spanish variation of ItzelDescription:
Itzayana, one of the fastest-rising girls' names of 2016, feels like a distant cousin of the ultra-popular Isabella.
- Kaylin
Origin:
American variation of KaylaDescription:
Kaylin is a variation of Kayla and Katelyn that had several years of chart climbing before reaching a peak of Number 372 in 2009. Cailin and Kailyn are two other spellings.
- Rhaegar
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Rhaegar Targaryen is one of the most glamorous, noble characters in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series... even though he's been dead over a decade when the books begin. The reader first learns about him through Robert and Ned, both enemies, who paint a distorted picture of this striking man.
- Braydon
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"wide valley"Description:
Like its cousin Braden, Braydon has been falling in popularity in recent years, perhaps signaling a weakening of the 'aden'-name epidemic. There are thousands of young Bradens and Braydons out there, including the son of Melissa Joan Hart.
- Avaline
Origin:
Invented name, variation of Adeline or EvelynDescription:
Avaline emerged as a full-fledged name when Cameron Diaz used it as the name of her wine brand. Only a dozen or two baby girls are given the name each year in the US, a surprise given the dramatically increased popularity of Adeline and Evelyn, which have spawned an abundant number of variations.
- Talisa
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Talisa is a recent addition to the Tali family, brought to light by actress Talisa Soto.
- Umbriel
Origin:
Literature, LatinMeaning:
"shadow"Description:
Created by English poet Alexander Pope for a melancholy sprite in the 1712 poem The Rape of the Lock. He likely took the Latin word umbra "shadow". A moon of Uranus is named after the character.
- Chasen
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"hunter"Description:
Once strictly a surname--Chasen's was an old Hollywood hangout--it's now catching on as a first name, both as an elaboration of the popular CHASE, and in following the pattern of popular two-syllable boys' names.