Pet Names · Cat Names
By Brynn McKeon · Updated September 2026
Across 10 pages
of 10
Shona
"love"
In the Shona language of souther Africa, this simple and wearable boys' name means love .
Turkish
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 ),…
Variation of Thandie, Xhosa
"beloved"
Thandi can be used independently or as a nickname for one of the Thand- starting names such as Thandeka or Thandiwe.
Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele
A common unisex name used frequently in South Africa.
Japanese
"love; indigo"
Hebrew
"beloved, friend"
A modern (and very rare) form of Jedidah, the mother of the biblical king Josiah.
"well loved"
An alternative to the more familiar Aviva.
Yoruba, Nigerian
"much loved"
A beautiful African name which can also lead to the always-wearable "Addy" nickname.
Tahitian
"big love"
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".
English, Norse
"love again, renewal"
Idony is a Medieval variation of Idonea, itself an English form of Iðunn, the Norse goddess of spring and eternal youth. She was notable for carrying, keeping, and guarding the box of apples from…
Yoruba
Short but impactful, Ife is a meaningful Yoruba name, taken from the word ífé meaning "love". Predominantly used in Nigeria or among Nigerian families, it may also be used in as an element in longer…
Irish
"grain or love"
Grainne is the Irish form of the name often Anglicized as Grania. It was the name of the ancient grain goddess and also of the fiancee of mythological hero Finn McCool and lover of Dermot, who was a…
Possible variation of Esme
"esteemed, beloved"
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…
Norse
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…
Greek
"beloved sister"
A seriously classic name meaning love , Adelpha is also the name for a genus of butterflies.
English combination of Ethel + Mary
"noble + drop of the sea, bitter, beloved"
A unique and vintage-feeling combo name, borne by silent child film star Ethelmary Oakland.
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, desired"
Erasmus has long retained the image of the bearded and bespectacled Dutch philosopher, but could be one that the audacious baby namer just might dare to dust off. The fourth century Saint Erasmus was…
Hindi-Sanskrit
"love, desire"
This simple but alluring name — some might associate it with the Kama Sutra — was chosen by heavy metal rocker Sammy Hagar for his daughter.
Sanskrit
Kama is the winged Hindu god of love, son of Lakshmi. His proper name is Kamadeva.
