Elián

Like others have already stated before me, this is not necessarily an invented name.

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In The Netherlands, Elian (without the accent on the 'a') has been in use since the early '50s. Obviously, this is long before the world ever heard of Elián Gonzalez. The name has slowly been increasing into popularity since. Elian was at its most popular ever in 2011: that year, 18 newborn children were given this name. I say 'children', because Elian is unisex in my country (but there are more males than females with the name, though).

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According to the website of the Meertens Institute (which also provides these statistics), the name is usually derived from Elijah. Still, especially in the case of males, some (Catholic) parents could also have named their child after Saint Elian of Wales - whose name is actually Gaelic in origin. In the case of females, the name is often a combination of Elizabeth and Anna or Johanna - just like the user jtuffee stated before me.

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So, I would personally recommend to make a separate entry on Behind the Name for Elian (*without* the accent on the 'a'). The entry *with* the accent on the 'a' may have originated from Elián Gonzalez, but Elian without an accent on the 'a' did not (as that was a name long before Gonzalez was ever born). [noted -ed]

This name is also a female name. As a bearer of the name and knowing other people in my town who are also named the same I can asure you so. In my case it was derived from my mother's name Elia and on the other person's from relative's name Noelia.

I've never heard it as a male name; I don't know Spanish. But there's a British woman called Elian McCready who is a very well known artist and textile designer. She grew up in Wales - not sure if her parents are Welsh or where the name comes from.