Landing on a baby name for your newborn is harder than it looks. For one thing, you have to weed out all the names that remind you of people who secretly annoy you. For another, you have to stay away from any names already claimed by close friends and family. There may be other factors to consider, too: like gender, meaning, and whether it flows with your last name. And even after all of that, you and your partner need to agree on the name, which is easier said than done.
That's precisely why baby names have become such a big business in the last few decades and how a baby name consultant named Steph was able to grow such a big following on TikTok. Recently, the influencer mom sounded off about "invented baby names," and it sparked a ton of discussion (and some strongm opinions) in the comments section.
Steph goes by @nameswithsteph on TikTok
There, she commands an impressive following of more than 232,000 people, and frequently shares baby name inspo and commentary with her growing fanbase.
@nameswithsteph this was a theme suggested to me from one of you, keep em coming friends!! #nameswithsteph #uncommonnames #babynameinspiration #namesdonthavegenders #babynameswithsteph #popularnames ♬ original sound – Steph – Name Consultant
Often, they're names inspired with a unique theme — like pasta!
@nameswithsteph Replying to @jewel_z_jules tell me, which names work and which don't? you can find baby name inspo everywhere you look! #nameswithsteph #babynameswithsteph #nameconsultant #babynameinspiration #nameconsultation #nameconsultant ♬ original sound – Steph – Name Consultant
Other times, they're a bit more straight-forward and general, like the time she rounded up a bunch of vintage-inspired baby names for girls.
@nameswithsteph I'm so honored when people ask for my suggestions, thank you, and I think I picked a fave, Ruth! #nameconsultant #nameswithsteph #videorequests #babynameinspo2023 #traditionalnames #vintagenames ♬ Epic Music(863502) – Draganov89
But it was her "invented" baby names series that really got people talking
In the first TikTok, Steph admitted that "invented" baby names (i.e. baby names that are likely made up by the parents or spelled differently) can be a mixed bag. On one hand, there are some that she actually really loves. On the other, there are many she would never recommend in a million years.
Among those she likes? Names like Amerie, Daxton, and Evolet. She's also a fan of "invented" Celtic names like Icelyn, Irelyn, and Scotlyn. But when it comes to the very similar name of Lakelyn, she just can't get behind it.
"I know! It doesn't make sense!" she admits in the clip. "But names are subjective, so who cares if I don't like it? Maybe you do!"
@nameswithsteph this is not an exhaustive list but it was to pull names that I was drawn to and ones I didn't like as much, which ones would you add? #nameswithsteph #nameconsultation #babynameinspiration #babynameinspo2023 #babynameswithsteph #popularnames #inventedbabynames ♬ Ambient Music 1 – Instrumental
Other "invented" names she isn't a fan of may sound familiar
For whatever reason, Steph says she isn't that into "J" names, and the over-use of names like "Jaiden" or "Jaylen" are overrated, in her opinion.
Invented "K" names, however, tend to work much better, Steph shares.
"For example, Khaleesi, Kyland, Kyler, Kylo — I'm obsessed with them all!" she says.
In Part 2, Steph continues on through the alphabet
@nameswithsteph which of my final five surprised you the most? I have shared a couple of them before! #nameswithsteph #babynameswithsteph #babynameinspiration #nameconsultation #inventedbabynames #uncommonnames #nameconsultant ♬ Aesthetic – Gaspar
Invented "M" names that get two thumbs up from her include Maxon and Miley (which, she admits, could be because of Miley Cyrus). There's also Raelynn — which she almost gave to her daughter as a middle name.
She finds the name Renesmee, from the Twilight series, to be "stunning," as well as Sonder for a baby boy.
When it comes to the letter "T," most invented options she sees are pretty "meh" in her book — like Taylen, Tinley, and Todrick. And for some reason, she can't get enough of the name "Venellope," which may not be for everyone, but offers a unique spin on the popular name Penelope.
All things considered, she has only five invented names on her "absolutely not" list
They include: Abcde, Amiracle, Jaxon, Payson, and Neveah (heaven spelled backwards).
"My apologies if those are your children's names," she says, before explaining that she prefers "Jackson" spelled the traditional way and if she was going to do a "P" name for a boy, she'd much prefer Palmer or Presley.
As for the others? "They're just not for me," she concludes.
Unsurprisingly, a lot of people chimed in in the comments
Many either totally agreed with her or begged to differ.
"I love Tinley!" one person said, defensively.
"Awe – I love Jaxon," someone else added. "That's my grandson's name. After my grandfather Jack Saxon."
"I would actually like Samanda as a middle name for my loved ones who passed," yet another commenter shared.
Others commented with the most unique invented names they've come across in real life.
"I have a nephew named moxon and a niece named veyli (they tried to rearrange Levi for a passed friend)," one TikToker wrote.
"My brothers name is mikevian (Mike & Kevin mixed) mah-key-vee-in," someone else added.
"My childhood neighbor was named Shanley after her parents Sharon and Danny," another user chimed in. "I loved it!"
And then there were those who boldly defended their own "invented" baby names.
"My invented baby name is Hycinthia, like the poisonous flower Hyacinth, so pretty and the nicknames are endless," one parent shared.
"My daughter's name is invented," another one said, "it's Stelliana from Stella and Anna."
But one person's comment seemed to cut through the rest when she questioned why the subject of unique baby names seems to polarize people to begin with.
"Aren’t all names invented at some point?" they noted.
Touché!
