Names That Mean Beloved

The nickname Davie is very hot right now -- for girls. Most Davies these days are female, but this is still a natural short form of the classic David.

Davie

Maryana

Marylin

Amadea is a strong and musical feminine form of Amadeus, as in Mozart. In more conservative times, Amadea might have seemed too strange for use on a contemporary baby, but by today's sensibility, it makes a good update for Amanda or Amy.

Amadea

A dramatic, yet totally familiar compound name, used among the Hispanic and Italian communities. It blends two classics together, to make meanings such as "beloved and renowned warrior" or "bitter renowned warrior". It may also be transcribed as Maria Luisa or María Luisa.
 
While still a quietly used choice in the US, it did double in usage in 2024 when it was given to 23 babies compared to 11 the year before. TV sports host, Marialuisa Jacobelli might have helped bring some spotlight to the name.

Marialuisa

Cute combination name which is now past its peak. It may be written as one word, two words (Mary Jo), or hyphenated (Mary-Jo). 

The original meaning of Mary is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

Maryjo

Meli

Modern combination of two popular sounds, but the name itself is very rare.

 The meaning of Mary is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

Marily

Robust and energetic with an even blend of spikiness and elegance, Mariska is a diminutive of Maria, notably used in Hungary and The Netherlands. Internationally, it was brought into the spotlight by Law & Order actress, Mariska Hargitay.
 The meaning of Maria (and therefore Mariska) is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew root mar and yam); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr), though "wished for child" and "mother" are sometimes suggested too.
 
Familiar in The Netherlands and South African, it is a rare choice in the US, where it was given to just 14 girls in a recent year. It did however have a slight surge in popularity between 2006 and 2010, following Hagitay's appearance on the popular TV drama, peaking in 2007 when it was given to 107 girls.
 
Also borne by Dutch singer, Mariska Veres, it is pronounced as MAW-ree-shkaw in Hungarian and ma-RIS-ka in Dutch, the latter being the more intuitive among English speakers too.

Mariska

The meaning of Mary is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

 The -lee ending is trending right now, but Marylee has almost disappeared from the baby name charts.

Marylee

Modern Hebrew spelling (and pronunciation) of the biblical Jedidiah, another name of King Solomon.

Yedidya

Although almost always feminine in the first name spot, Maria (and its French cognate Marie) are regularly used in the middle or in compound first names in Catholic cultures. Famous examples include Austrian poet Rainier Maria Rilke, Italian composer Giovanni Maria Nanino, and German fashion designer Guido Maria Kretschmer.

 
Maria ultimately derives from the Hebrew name Maryam/Mariam. The original meaning of Maryam is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

Maria

Marybelle

An intriguing variation of classic Mary that could act as a more inherently feminine alternative to the rising unisex Micah. 

Meika

A short but punchy name of Danish and Norwegian origin, Gyda could be a variation of the Old Norse name Guðríðr meaning "beautiful goddess", or it could be derived from the word yðja meaning "priestess" or "lady of status".
 
The English form of the name is Gytha or Githa, while the Icelandic variant is Gyða. Gyda also coincides with a Welsh word meaning "joint, together, with, one of".

Gyda

On one hand, Caron is a place name, deived from the Welsh caru meaning "to love", and therefore related to Carys and Caradoc. Alternatively, it's influenced by the Greek Charon ("fierce brightness" and mythological ferryman for the dead) or the French Chèron (possibly from Roman Carinu, "beloved, dear").

Caron

Dawid

A beautiful combination of Maria and Stella. Marianela Núñez is an Argentine ballet dancer.

Marianela

Marylyn

A sunny sounding name, Mayella is a smoosh name with various meanings, depending on which etymological root you follow for May. The name is perhaps most associated with Mayella Ewell in Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, a character whose loneliness and desperation spark the main plot of the book. This may well put parents off using the name and it is only ever given to a handful of girls every year.
 
An alternative origin for Mayella is via Majella, the surname of the 18th century Italian saint, Gerard Majella (or Gerardo Mailella), who became the patron saint of pregnancy and childbirth. Used occasionally in Ireland, it derives from the name of a mountain in Italy.