Dog Names That Mean Love

  1. Ai
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "love; indigo"
  2. Carice
    • Origin:

      English and Dutch
    • Meaning:

      "grace, kindness, love"
    • Description:

      A variant spelling of Charis or Carys, relatively popular in the Netherlands.
  3. Caris
    • Origin:

      Greek or variation of Carys, Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "grace, kindness; love"
    • Description:

      Caris is either a variation of the Carys, a modern Welsh name meaning "love", or a spin on the Greek Charis, meaning "grace, kindness", and used to describe the Three Graces collectively. It briefly made the England and Wales Top 1000 in the late 90s.
  4. Mabs
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Mabel
    • Meaning:

      "beautiful lover"
    • Description:

      You can just hear some sassy dame in a 1930s movie using this name. We prefer the original -- or even its original, Amabel.
  5. Miamor
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "my love"
    • Description:

      A Spanish term of endearment that first appeared on the charts in 2005, and is slowly gaining traction.
  6. Philou
    • Origin:

      Dutch
    • Meaning:

      "love"
    • Description:

      This Dutch name stems from the Greek root word "philos" meaning "love". It is relatively common in the Netherlands.
  7. Rudo
    • Origin:

      Shona
    • Meaning:

      "love"
    • Description:

      In the Shona language of souther Africa, this simple and wearable boys' name means love.
  8. Habib
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "loved one"
    • Description:

      A North African choice, particularly popular in Tunisia and Syria.
  9. Maca
    • Origin:

      Croatian, Serbian, and Slovene diminutive of Marija
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
    • Description:

      In Slovenia, Maca is more common as an independent name than its parent name Marija.
  10. Ily
    • Origin:

      Modern English
    • Meaning:

      "I love you"
    • Description:

      This sweet little acronym, popularized in the age of texting, has established itself as a baby name. The similarity to Ivy, Isla and Riley/Miley has undoubtedly played a role.
  11. Kedrick
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "loved or royal power"
    • Description:

      Also spelled Kedric, this name has a double origin as either a variant of the surname name Kendrick, or a spelling spin on the literary Cedric, used by Sir Walter Scott for a character in his 1819 novel Ivanhoe. He likely based it on the legendary name Cerdic, which may be a contracted form of Caractacus.
  12. Marica
    • Origin:

      Croatian and Hungarian form of Maria
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
    • Description:

      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).
  13. Marylou
    • Origin:

      English, combination of Mary and Lou
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + famous battle"
    • Description:

      Truncated form of Marylouise.
  14. Caron
    • Origin:

      Welsh, Greek, French, "love, affection; fierce brightness; beloved"
    • Meaning:

      "love, affection; fierce brightness; beloved"
    • Description:

      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").
  15. Maricel
    • Origin:

      Spanish and Filipino combination of Maria and Celia, Hebrew, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + heaven"
    • Description:

      Variant of Maricela, blending Maria and Celia, giving you a variety of meanings. On one hand, it could simply be interpreted as meaning "Maria of the Heavens", perhaps as a celebration of the Virgin Mary, however, you could also mix the various meanings of Maria with that of Celia, to give you "drop of the sea in heaven", "bitter heavens" or "beloved heaven".
  16. Cupid
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "desire"
    • Description:

      The name of the Roman god of love, the son of Venus, considered so romantic as to be unfit for mere mortals. Yet now that Romeo and Venus herself are fair game for modern babies, why not Cupid?
  17. Karita
    • Origin:

      Icelandic and Swedish variation of Carita, Swedish from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "beloved"
    • Description:

      Karita and Karitas are the Icelandic spins on Charity, also found as Carita and Caritas throughout Scandinavia. While to the English speakers, these names may feel like a Latinate endearment, they are popular names in their own right.
  18. Carita
    • Origin:

      Swedish from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "beloved"
    • Description:

      Carita may feel like an endearing nickname but it's a name in its own right, used throughout Scandinavia in this form and as Karita, Caritas, and Karitas as a variation on Charity.
  19. Dilan
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Dylan; Turkish
    • Meaning:

      "love"
    • Description:

      Dylan has become a go-to name for boys in the last generation, thanks to poet Dylan Thomas, musician Bob Dylan, and fictional characters like Dylan McKay of Beverly Hills, 90210. Spelling variations include Dillon and Dilan. Alternately, Dilan is a feminine Turkish name meaning "love." Due to the ultra-popularity of Dylan, Dilan will likely be misspelled frequently.
  20. Aziza
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "powerful and beloved"
    • Description:

      Aziza is a zippy palindromic choice that is the female variation of Aziz and is found in several Middle Eastern and African languages and cultures. All in all, an attractive and interesting option; a Turkish variation is Azize. In African mythology, the Azizi are a supernatural race of forest dwellers who give practical and spiritual advice.

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