Names That Mean Beloved

Mariane

Once a common girl name in Hawaii, today Leialoha is virtually unheard of.

Leialoha

Cute but substantial short form, deriving from Maria. The meaning of Maria 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).

Marienka

An alternative spelling of biblical Jedidiah.

Jedidiyah

Marylea

Marilie

Mariquita derives from Maria, the meaning of which is uncertain. 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).

Mariquita

Lowdy is a variation of Loveday, a name given to babies in medieval England who were born on days when adversaries would come together to resolve their conflicts amicably. Loveday continued to be used in Cornwall long after it died out in the rest of England and is considered a traditional Cornish name despite its Anglo-Saxon roots.
 
Lowdy and Loveday are still seen, though rarely, in Cornwall today. Both are more common among baby girls.

Lowdy

Thandiwe

Sometimes used a Dutch diminutive of Marie, the meaning of which is uncertain. 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).

Mariet

Dávid

A diminutive of the (male) name Dafydd, the Welsh form of David. In the US, it's strongly associated with the candy.

Taffy

Although almost always feminine in the first name spot, Marie (and its pan-European cognate Maria) are regularly used in the middle or in compound first names in Catholic cultures. Famous examples include French writers François-Marie Arouet (Voltaire) and Victor Marie Hugo, and Front National politician Jean-Marie Le Pen.

 
Marie is the French form of Maria, which ultimately was derived 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).

Marie

Miriama

Derived from Marie, the meaning of which is uncertain. 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).

Marise

Frigg was the wife of Odin in Norse mythology, and may share a common origin with the goddess Freya. 

 Despite the lovely history and meaning behind the name, be warned that in many parts of the English-speaking world, "frig/frigging" is often used as a less vulgar stand-in for the F word, similar to "fricking/freaking".

Frigg

Rather dated smoosh name. The meaning of Marie 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).

Jeanmarie

A light and pretty name used in several Eastern European countries, which may be a form of Miriam or Mary.

Mirjana

Mere

A striking form of international favourite Maria, the meaning of which is uncertain. 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).