Baby Names That Mean Love

  1. Yaretzi
    • Origin:

      Nahuatl, Aztec
    • Meaning:

      "you will always be loved"
    • Description:

      This unusual name from the Nahuatl or Aztec language has one of the best meanings around. It sprang onto the US popularity list in 2006 and made a brief appearance in the Top 300 before sliding down a bit. It's popular in Mexico and with US Americans of Latino or Hispanic heritage, hitting on two big girl name trends in those communities: Ya- beginnings and -i endings.
  2. Desiderio
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "desired one"
    • Description:

      Desiderio was the full name of the Cuban bandleader who famously Loved Lucy. There was also a Saint Desiderio. Major attraction: the great nickname Desi.
  3. Ceri
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "to love"
    • Description:

      Ceri is traditionally a Welsh masculine name which historically has been Anglicised to "Kerry", but we love the Welsh original. Famous Ceris include British painter Ceri Richards and New Zealand soccer player Ceri Evans. Be aware that Ceri is sometimes used as a female name, both as a standalone name and as a shortening of the Welsh female name Ceridwen.
  4. Maite
    • Origin:

      Basque
    • Meaning:

      "beloved"
    • Description:

      A top ten choice in Chile and a popular name throughout the Spanish-speaking world, Maite is a mighty-sounding name with a soft and sweet meaning. It is also found as a contracted form of María Teresa or María Esther.
  5. Aroon
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "darling"
    • Description:

      More popularly used as an alternative spelling to the popular Hindi name, Arun, the mythic charioteer of the dawn, Aroon is also used as an Irish term of endearment, loosely translating to "darling" or "oh darling.
  6. Angharad
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "much loved"
    • Description:

      This name dates back to Arthurian legend, in which Angharad was the lover of Percival, one of the Knights of the Round Table, and was used more recently for the name of the favorite wife of the warlord in Mad Max: Fury Road. It was quite popular in the Middle Ages and is still heard in Wales, but we doubt that even the glamorous Rosie Huntington-Whiteley could propel it to wider popularity.
  7. Grania
    • Origin:

      Variation of Grainne, Irish
    • Meaning:

      "the loved one or grain of corn"
    • Description:

      In addition to being the appellation of an ancient grain goddess, this name was also borne by two mythic Irish figures, one of whom was betrothed to legendary chieftain Finn MacCool, the other the brave sixteenth century pirate Grainne Ni Mhaille— known in English as Grace O'Malley-- whose name passed into poetry as a symbol of Ireland.
  8. Halia
    • Origin:

      Hawaiian, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "remembrance of a loved one, cherished memory; briny"
    • Description:

      Halia is one of Hawaii's top baby names, in the Top 50 for girls in 2021. Rare yet quietly on the rise outside of Hawaii, it was given to around 64 girls in a recent year. With its appealing meaning and approachable sound, Halia may see more use in the future.
  9. Dua
    • Origin:

      Albanian, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "love, prayer"
    • Description:

      Dua is one of those names that has been popularized in English speaking countries by a single celebrity: British-Albanian model-singer Dua Lipa. It's simple, modern, appealing, and may find a wider audience thanks to its attractive namesake.
  10. Armas
    • Origin:

      Finnish
    • Meaning:

      "beloved"
    • Description:

      Armas is an antiquated Finnish word with a loving meaning and a straightforward spelling and pronunciation. A rare name with potential.
  11. Vevina
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "sweet lady"
    • Description:

      This unusual name found in Scottish poetry would make a distinctive Gaelic pick.
  12. Charity
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "charity"
    • Description:

      Charity is one of the Big Three abstract virtue names, along with Hope and Faith, though far less widely used than the others. But as Faith, Grace and Hope grow more common, some parents are beginning to look at the more unusual three-syllable choices like Verity, Amity, Clarity and Charity, which sound much fresher and also have that pleasingly rhythmic 'y'-ending sound.
  13. Avila
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "desired; or island, water"
    • Description:

      An unusual and appealing name that is the origin of Evelyn, via the Norman French name Aveline. It derives from an obscure Germanic root, the meaning of which is not clear. Theories include "desired, wished for" and "water, island".
  14. Lovella
    • Origin:

      Feminine of Lovell
    • Meaning:

      "wolf"
    • Description:

      Lovella is most likely a feminine variation on Lovell, a surname. While it feels one of the invented-yet-antiquated girls' names, has the obvious attraction of containing the word "love" within it, as well as the opportunity to use "Ella" as nickname.
  15. Aiko
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "beloved child"
    • Description:

      Aiko is a very common Japanese name with a lovely meaning that is rarely heard outside the Asian community.
  16. Caron
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "loving, kindhearted, charitable"
    • Description:

      A Welsh place name, possibly from the caru root, meaning "love, affection", Caron could work as a way to honor a Karen with a twist. It can also be used as a masculine name, as a variation of the Greek Charon ("fierce brightness") or French Chèron (possibly from Roman Carinu, "beloved, dear").
  17. Graziano
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "pleasing, beloved, dear"
    • Description:

      Italian form of Gratian, the name of a Roman emperor who campaigned across the Rhine and favored Christianity over paganism. Graziano isn't common either in the English-speaking world or its native Italy, although the boxer Rocky Graziano adopted it from his grandfather's surname. In the current vogue for names ending in -o and Italian names, it may be worth a second look.
  18. Amato
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "loved"
    • Description:

      Saint's name that emanates amore.
  19. Anabella
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Annabel
    • Meaning:

      "loving"
    • Description:

      We like all forms of this name—Annabel, Anabel, Annabelle, Anabela, and Annabella—so you decide how elaborate you want to get. Actress Sela Ward chose the Anabella spelling.
  20. Philo
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "loving"
    • Description:

      Could Philo be the next Milo?

The Nameberry App Is Live

Nameberry app screenshot
Find your perfect baby name together in our iPhone app, now available on the App Store.
  • Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
  • Names you match on are saved to your shared list
  • Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
  • Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
  • Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.
Download on the App Store
Nameberry app screenshot