Names That Mean Beloved

Popular in Hawaii in the first decades of the 20th century, this name also means "rock" in Māori.

Kamaka

An attractive and worldly name for a cherished baby son. 

Sajan

Idamae combines the classic name Ida with the southern suffix 'mae' to create a charming vintage feminine name. 

Ida has Germanic origins meaning 'industrious' or 'hardworking,' while Mae (or May) relates to the spring month and also may be a short form of Mary. 

Idamae was most popular in the early 20th century, particularly in rural American communities. It exemplifies the double-name tradition common in southern states while maintaining a sweet, nostalgic quality. Though never extremely common, Idamae experienced a modest resurgence of interest in the early 2000s as part of the revival of vintage names. The name evokes images of strength, simplicity, and traditional values.

Idamae

This Slavic classic name might begin to make its mark with American parents, what with the growing popularity of the short form Mila. Borne by a tenth century saint who had been a princess from Bohemia, Ludmila is widely used in Russia, Ukraine and Bulgaria. 
 There have been many champion athletes bearing the name, some using the alternate spelling Lyudmila.
 This is a name with lots of energizing nicknames, including Lila, Lida, Lula, Luda--and Mila.

Ludmila

Marybella

Homely compound name which may be written as one word, two words (Mary Louise), or hyphenated (Mary-Louise). 

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).

Marylouise

This Irish form of international favorite Cara is a new entry into Ireland's Top 100. But in the US last year, no babies were named Caragh. That final gh, though often silent in English as in might or weigh, would almost certainly prove confusing.

Caragh

Dariel is one of many similar forms and variations of different names—Dara, Dariela, Daria and Darya—that are all unusual and pretty if not quite authentic-feeling.

Dariel

A sunny and sparky compound name which rolls easily off the tongue.

Dellamae

Maritta

Maryetta

Slightly sing-song and very joyful, with a hint of Melody, a bit of Felicity, and a dash of Truly thrown in, Merrily was briefly popular in the 1940s. 
 
It can be considered a smoosh name, blending elements of Mary and Lee - which might explain why it was popular in the 40s, when Marilyn and Marilee were on trend - or it can be considered a word name, giving it a fresher vibe.
 
2023 saw spelling variation, Merrilee, appear on the charts again for the first time since the 2000s and with word names trending, perhaps Merrily may make a resurgence in the future.

Merrily

Sherrie is a feminine name that is a spelling variation of the once-popular Sherry, a phonetic form of the French Cheri meaning dear or beloved.
Sherry ranked in the US Top 100 from the late 1940s until the mid 1970s -- quite a run. In 1962, at the name's height, there were over 1500 baby girls given the Sherrie spelling, and over 9000 named Sherry. Other spelling variations include Sheri and Shari.

Sherrie

Adamarie is an unusual compound name, combining Ad- names like Ada, Adele, Adelaide, and Adeline, all sharing the meaning "noble", with Marie, meaning "drop in the sea; beloved".  

This name feels a little like Adelaide, Emery, Adamina, and Adelyn at the same time. With a hint of both vintage and modern vibes, this name has a pleasing combined meaning. 

Adamarie

A German compound name, created by blending Lena (from Helena), with either Anja, Tanja, Maja, or similar. Lenya is an anglicized form. 

Lenja

One of many beautiful international variations of the timeless Biblical Mary.

Marusya

Used predominantly as a masculine name, Davian has been used on a small handful of girls over the years, and could be considered a compound name, blending David and Ann. 

Davian

This spiritual name is a variation of Jedidiah - a name which as been climbing up the US charts. In the Bible, this name is bestowed upon Solomon by the prophet Nathan..

Yedidia

Actress Daryl Hannah made this a girls' name in theory, though in the most recent year counted, about 75 baby boys in the US were named Daryl...and zero baby girls.

Daryl

Also spelled as María Belén or Maria Belen, this compound name is familiar in its native Spain and may be interpreted as meaning "beloved Bethlehem" or simply "Maria (or Mary) of Bethlehem". As a smooshed name, it has been used in the US name since the 90 and was given to five girls in a recent year. 