930+ Invented Baby Names (with Meanings & Popularity)

Spelling variation of Ryland

With Messiah no longer a forbidden choice, alternative spelling options for the now Top 200 name are being considered. Massiah is one such option, thought there is also a chance it could link to the word mashiach meaning "anointed one". In Jewish tradition, this refers to the one who will be crowned king in the End of Days, not to the Biblical Jesus. It is more likely however that Massiah is being used as a form of Messiah, with around 80 boys receiving the name in a recent year.

Sister to rising young actress Quvenzhané Wallis.

The popularity of legendary names, such as Legend, Legendary, and Legacy, has led to the creation of new names in this genre — meet Alegend (and ALegend and A'Legend). Phrases as names are slowly filtering into the mainstream, with choices like AKing, MyLove, and AMillion garnering more and more use each year.

Istredd is the name of sorceress Yennefer's former lover in The Witcher series, created by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. Some sources theorize that the name is related to the Scandinavian royal name Astrid.

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.

While this spelling is running a close second on the popularity charts to the original Briana, it feels more invented -- probably because it is. Some parents may want to move further away from Brian, root name for all the feminine variations, and so prefer the e versions. But we like the older, more authentic Briana best. Another spelling way: Breanna.

Christia is a rare Chris name that doesn't add much to the mix. We'd prefer lengthening Christia to Christiana or shortening it to Christa.

Brilie combines elements of the megapopular Briana and Riley to form a pleasant merger. Some would call Brilie a Smoosh Name.

Created by lovers of the ae vowel combo.

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.

For those who are trying to nudge Abeleen, the Texas place-name, toward Adeline, the stylish girls' name. Unfortunately, you arrive somewhere short of a happy medium.

An invented name inspired by the Irish/Scottish May Day festival of Beltane. And perhaps a modern way to honor a Tania?

The newest addition to the Kylie, Rylie family, really catching on with some parents.

Kikkan Randall, the American cross-country skier who won a Gold Medal at the 2018 Olympics, made her invented name famous. The name Kikkan was a compromise between Megan and Kikki, the name her father wanted to give her to honor skier Kiki Cutter. While we don't expect Kikkan to win any medals as a baby name, it's undeniably cute and original and also honors an inspirational female athlete.

Podrick Payne is something of a Zelig character in Game of Thrones -- though he's never been all that prominent, he's popped up in many scenes in many different storylines on the show, first as squire to Tyrion Lannister and later to Brienne of Tarth.

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

Another side of Paradise.