Cat Names That Mean Love

An increasing number of parents are using the Italian word for love as a baby name in the US.

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

A simple gender-neutral name.

This is a Muslim female name particularly popular in Somalia and North Africa.

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 meaning.

This simple but alluring name — some might associate it with the Kama Sutra — was chosen by heavy metal rocker Sammy Hagar for his daughter.

Top 100 choice in Italy.

This modern Hebrew name has a great meaning and is trending upwards.

The Turkish word for "love" is a Gen X name in its country of origin, but is a fresh option in the US. It debuted on the charts in 2021 thanks to the Turkish soap opera Adı Sevgi (Its Name's Love), which is also broadcast in Spanish.

The Tahitian roots of Herenui are here, which means love, and nui, which means big. So this South Sea Islander name can be translated as "big love".

A rare Finnish name which is used for both sexes, but more often for girls. It is usually found in the middle spot.

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

A variant spelling of Charis or Carys, relatively popular in the Netherlands.

Kamadeva is the Hindu god of love. Much like Cupid, Kamadeva or Kama flies around shooting arrows of desire at young lovers. His bow is made of sugarcane and his arrows are decorated with fragrant flowers. Kamadeva is associated with the cuckoo bird, humming bees, and the gentle breezes of spring.

Loving Italian choice with a built-in lullaby.

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.