Abstract <p>This paper introduces the 2D Hybrid Hyperchaotic Modified Lemniscate (2D-HHML) Map, a novel two-dimensional chaotic system developed by integrating the classical lemniscate map with hybrid hyperchaotic mechanisms. The proposed system is designed to enhance nonlinear complexity and explore its potential in applications such as secure communication, encryption, and pseudo-random number generation. The 2D-HHML map incorporates multiple nonlinear feedback functions and state-dependent parameters, resulting in rich dynamical behaviors including multiple positive Lyapunov exponents, dense periodic orbits, and complex bifurcation structures. Numerical simulations demonstrate the system’s strong sensitivity to initial conditions and parameter variations, with a maximum Lyapunov exponent of 17.350. These features suggest a high degree of unpredictability and dynamic richness. However, this work recognizes that large Lyapunov exponents alone do not guarantee cryptographic strength. The generation of secure pseudo-random sequences depends on how chaotic values are processed, particularly during the binary conversion stage. To validate the cryptographic suitability of the 2D-HHML map, statistical analyses such as entropy evaluation and NIST randomness tests are performed. The dynamic properties of the map are further visualized through phase portraits, Lyapunov spectra, and bifurcation diagrams. Comparative analysis with existing chaotic maps demonstrates the enhanced hyperchaotic features of the proposed system. The paper concludes by highlighting the 2D-HHML map’s potential for applications in secure systems, emphasizing its balance between complexity, robustness, and statistical quality.</p>