Valentine's Day Names

  1. Amoris
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "love"
    • Description:

      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.
  2. Leofric
    • Origin:

      Germanic
    • Meaning:

      "beloved kingdom"
    • Description:

      Derived from Old English leof "dear, beloved" + ric "power; reign; kingdom". A notable historical bearer is Leofric, Earl of Mercia: he was the husband of Lady Godiva, who (legend has it) promised his wife that he would reduce taxation if she rode naked through the streets of Coventry.
  3. Dariel
    • Origin:

      Variation of Darrell, Darren, or Darius, English
    • Meaning:

      "from Airelle; possessing the goodness of God"
    • Description:

      Popular in Puerto Rico since the 2000s and now in the US too, Dariel is a modern, elaborated form or Darrell or Darren, inspired by the likes of Gabriel and Daniel. Darrell (which might also be the inspiration behind Darren) derived from a Norman French surname, d'Airelle, referring to someone who came from Airelle in France.
  4. Ife
    • Origin:

      African, Yoruba
    • Meaning:

      "love"
    • Description:

      Simple African name all-but-unknown in the U.S. and Europe, which is exactly why it might make a perfect choice. Similarity to such popular names as Ava and Eva (and the Irish Aoife) makes it more familiar, but potentially more confusing.
  5. Taffy
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "beloved friend"
    • Description:

      A diminutive of the (male) name Dafydd, the Welsh form of David. In the US, it's strongly associated with the candy.
  6. Calantha
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "lovely flower"
    • Description:

      Another of the new Greek-accented Cal- names.
  7. Sadbh
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "sweet; goodly"
    • Description:

      Sadbh is the modern Irish form of the more streamlined but equally confusing Sadb or Sadhbh: these names are pronounced to rhyme with five. In Irish mythology Sadb or Sadbh or Sadhbh, a goddess lover of Finn McCool's, was turned into a deer only to vanish and (somewhere in there) give birth to Oisin.
  8. Cariad
  9. Zuleika
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "fair, brilliant beauty"
    • Description:

      Zuleika is a high-wire act of a name that might appeal to the intrepid baby namer, Like most 'Z'-starting girls' names, it projects a cool, strong aura, as exemplified by the character in Max Beerbohm's satirical 1910 novel, Zuleika Dobson, a heroine so gorgeous that the entire student body of Oxford University committed collective suicide at the sight of her.
  10. Serenade
    • Origin:

      Music name
    • Description:

      Peaceful and melodic, but a bit pretentious.
  11. Locket
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "ornamental case worn round the neck"
    • Description:

      Worn round the neck and close to the heart, lockets are often used to hold small items of sentimental value, like a photo, a lock of hair, or a letter. Used as a surname, but rarely as a given name, Locket could have potential given its similarity in sound or letters to Lottie, Laurel, and Scarlett — and because of its sentimental meaning.
  12. Adelpha
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "beloved sister"
    • Description:

      A seriously classic name meaning love, Adelpha is also the name for a genus of butterflies.
  13. Carwen
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "blessed love"
    • Description:

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

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "love"
    • Description:

      A soft and lovely Hebrew name with an equally lovely meaning. Variations include Ahavah, Ahaba, Ahabah, Ahuva and Ahuvah.
  15. Ismay
    • Origin:

      Possible variation of Esme
    • Meaning:

      "esteemed, beloved"
    • Description:

      The rise of the the various Isabel names may give a boost to this variation, which has a sunny, springtime feel.
  16. 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.
  17. Rudo
    • Origin:

      Shona
    • Meaning:

      "love"
    • Description:

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

      Feminine variation of Darrell, French
    • Meaning:

      "dear one, beloved"
    • Description:

      Dariela may have a not-quite-authentic provenance, but it's a pretty name and an unusual choice in the girly Isabella-Gabriella group.
  19. Agapi
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "love, affection"
    • Description:

      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.
  20. Lennan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "sweetheart, lover"
    • Description:

      From the Irish Leannan, this, unfortunately, would be constantly mistaken for Lennon.

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