Updated November 2023
Across 12 pages
of 12
French
"esteemed, beloved"
Esme is a sophisticated, distinctive, and charming J. D. Salinger name, from his classic 1950 story 'For Esme, With Love and Squalor'.Related to the French Aimee, which means beloved, and to the…
Arabic
"beloved"
Strong and memorable.
Possible variation of Esme
The rise of the the various Isabel names may give a boost to this variation, which has a sunny, springtime feel. Although this name has been around since the thirteenth century, its origins remain…
Irish
"festive; affection, endearment"
An anglicized spelling of Muirne, the name of the mother of Finn mac Cool in Irish legend, Myrna has a unique sound and two possible meanings, both of which are positive. Actress Myrna Loy was a…
Spanish
"dear, beloved"
Loving choice.
Greek
A paramour of Alexander the Great and the heroine of a Massenet opera, this name is nothing if not dramatic.
Welsh
"amiable, beloved"
Derived from the name Caradog, the handsome ancient Celtic name was worn by one of the Knights of the Round Table, as well as a semi-legendary Welsh King. Possibly a cognate of Cedric and Carys,…
Irish, Gaelic
"swiftness, nimbleness"
An Irish mythology name belonging to a semi-legendary high king of Ireland, often equated with English David though not etymologically related.
French from Greek, "dear, beloved"
Varying Filbert does not improve the name: it still makes one think of a nut.
Latinized form of Greek Erastos
The Biblical Erastus was an assistant of Paul's in the New Testament. A name used in the 19th century that has fall off the scope, but may be revived as parents dig deeper for undiscovered Biblical…
"beloved friend"
Taffy, in addition to being a diminutive of Dafydd, is a slang term for Welsh people in general – probably from the River Taff. Too candy-like to be used in the US.
Yoruba, Nigerian
"much loved"
A beautiful African name which can also lead to the always-wearable "Addy" nickname.
Icelandic variation of Carita
Karitas -- with an accent over the i -- is among the Icelandic Top 100 names, a version of the Scandinavian Carita which is itself a spin on Charity. An intriguing and unique name with a beautiful…
Latin
Amatus is an ancient Roman name in the "Ama" family of names whose meanings relate to love -- they range from Amy to Amity to Amias to Amoret and Amatus.
Germanic
"beloved kingdom"
Derived from Old English leof "dear, beloved" + ric "power; reign; kingdom". A notable historical bearer is Leofric, Earl of Mercia: he was the husband of Lady Godiva, who (legend has it) promised…
Cornish, English
"beloved day"
A loveday in medieval England was a day when people engaged in a dispute would come together and try to resolve their differences amicably. The name was sometimes given to babies, male or female, who…
Obscure name from the New Testament.
"beloved respect"
A Gothic name belonging to the wife of Theodemir, a 5th century king of the Ostrogoths, and the mother of Theodoric the Great. The name also belongs to a genus of moths.
German
"beloved God"
This feminine form of Gottlieb sounds as medieval as it is. It's one medieval name that has not made it into the modern age.