149 Names That Mean Love

Created by the Polish playwright Juliusz Słowacki in 1833 for his eponymous romantic hero, Kordian has been in rare use in Poland since. Słowacki based the name on the Latin cor or cordis, meaning "heart", making this an excellent rare choice for a baby born around Valentine's Day.

Name that's virtually unknown here but has a lovely meaning and a simple sound and spelling.

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.

Dariel is an update to Darren, influenced by names like Gabriel.

Rhythmic and energetic, Drury is of French origin, with the wonderful meaning of "dear one, sweetheart."

A famous bearer is Carwyn Jones, leader of the Welsh Labour Party and First Minister of Wales since 2009. Feminine version is Carwen.

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

This beautiful Maori name meaning love is more wearable than the English word and softer Venus or Aphrodite. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern named her daughter Neve Te Aroha in 2018.

This feminine version of the Welsh name Carwyn could be a good choice for parents looking for something fresher than Bronwen.

Anabel is the sleekest version of this lovely name with so many variations, all of them correct. But Anabel and all her sisters -- Annabel, Annabelle, Anabella etc. -- took a downward turn after the 2014 horror film Annabelle.

This Latin word for love is not traditionally used as a name, but why not? It's got a pretty sound and some distinctive flair. Variants Amori or Amorie can also be thought of as different spellings of Amory, which has a very different meaning and roots. Only downside: Sounds almost exactly like "amorous," meaning in the mood for love, which could provoke some adolescent teasing.

This attractive Indian unisex name has a number of interesting variations with equally appealing meanings, including Manjula and Manjusha.

Loving choice.

Agapi has a sweet meaning of love and affection, but though this name is used in modern Greece, it's one of the Greek names for girls that has not yet emigrated to the US along with so many of her sisters.

Saint's name that emanates amore.

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. Grania is popular in Ireland and possible here, especially in this Anglicized spelling.

A shimmery name with a wonderful meaning; another intriguing variation is Siroun.

Amatus is an ancient Roman name in the "Ama" family of names whose meanings relate to love -- they range from Amy to Amity to Amias to Amoret and Amatus.

An Arabic name that can easily cross cultures. Janan might make a distinctive honor name for an ancestral Jan, Jane, or John.

Hebrew name not often heard in this country, but would have no trouble fitting in.