Boy and Girl Names That Mean Love
By Dixie Legare – August 28, 2024
Are you seeking a name for your baby that carries a powerful and positive meaning? Why not select a name that’s all about love, the most tender and universal of all emotions?
On our list of names, you’ll discover monikers for boys and girls from various cultures and languages that mean “love” or signify “love and strength,” “love and beauty,” or the “heart.”
Whether you’re looking for a name that radiates strength, fondness, or a harmonious blend of both, we’ve got you covered.
Names hold great importance and can influence your child’s life. Finding the perfect name is not just about its sound; it’s also about its meaning.
A name connected to love can be a beautiful reminder of the bond you share with your child.
Here, we provide a selection of names that embody love in its many forms.
Explore these options to find a name that resonates with you and reflects your hopes for your child’s future.
Girl Names That Mean “Love”
Ai
Ai is a sweet name that works in both Chinese and Japanese cultures.
In Chinese, it’s pronounced IE and means “love” or “friendly.” Meanwhile, in Japanese, it’s pronounced A-EE and means “love” or “indigo.”
Aimi
Aimi blends well with its meaning of “love” and “beauty” in Japanese. It’s a unique twist on the classic name Amy.
Ajei
Ajei is a charming Native American name from the Navajo tribe, meaning “heart.”
Amanda
Amanda derives from Latin, meaning “lovable” and “worthy of love.” It has been popular in literature, appearing in works like Colley Cibber’s Love’s Last Shift and Tennessee Williams’s A Glass Menagerie.
Amy
Amy is an English name with French roots, specifically from Amée and Aimée.
It was particularly popular in the U.S. during the 1970s and means “beloved.”
Angharad
Angharad is a Welsh name that means “much loved.” It appears in the mythical Welsh romance Peredur Son of Efrawg.
Beloved
This name directly translates to “beloved.” Though uncommon, it could serve as a sweet middle name.
Caoimhe
Caoimhe, pronounced Keeva or Kweeva, is an Irish name meaning “gentle” and “beloved.” It’s often associated with kindness and love.
Carina
Carina means “dear” and “beloved” in Latin. It is also the name of a constellation in the Southern Sky.
Ceinwen
Ceinwen is a lovely Welsh name that means “lovely” and “blessed.”
Diletta
Diletta is an Italian name that carries the meaning of “beloved.”
Fancy
Fancy comes from the English word meaning “love” or “inclination.” It’s a rare but charming name.
Inanna
Inanna is named after an ancient Mesopotamian goddess of love, war, and fertility, known as the “Queen of Heaven.”
Hólmfríðr
Hólmfríðr is an Old Norse name meaning “small island” and “beloved.”
Koharu
Koharu is a Japanese name perfect for a springtime baby, as it means “heart” and “spring.”
Lempi
Lempi means “love” in Finnish.
Love
Love is straightforward and meaningful, ideal for expressing life’s greatest gift.
Mai
Mai is a Japanese name meaning “real love” or “dance.”
Mary
Mary is a well-known biblical name.
Originating from the mother of Jesus, it can mean “wished for a child,” “rebelliousness,” or “beloved.”
Famous namesakes include Mary Shelley and Mary Queen of Scots.
Priti
Priti is an Indian name that means “love” and “joy.”
Vaihere
Vaihere is a Tahitian name meaning “water” and “loved,” suitable for a water sign baby.
Girl Names That Mean “Love and Strength”
Aphrodite
Aphrodite carries the meaning of “love and beauty.” This name from Greek mythology is well-known, representing the goddess of love and beauty. According to myth, she emerged from the foam of the sea.
Ástríðr
This rare name stems from Old Norse. Meaning “god, beautiful, and beloved,” Ástríðr embodies Nordic grace and fortitude.
Bastet
Bastet, an Egyptian goddess name, signifies love, protection, and dance. As the goddess of these attributes along with felines, it’s a divine choice for someone with a strong and loving spirit.
Freya
Freya translates to “the lady” and is associated with the Norse goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and war. The goddess Freya is also linked with cats, symbolizing gentle strength.
Hathor
In Egyptian mythology, Hathor is the goddess of love, music, dance, and the sky. This name hints at a possible future filled with artistic talents and a loving heart.
Ingrid
Ingrid means “Ing is beloved/beautiful.” This combination of the Germanic god Ing and the word “beloved” creates a name that suggests a blend of grace and beauty. Ingrid Bergman, the famous actress, adds a touch of Hollywood glamour to this name.
Jorunn
Jorunn merges the meanings “boar” and “to love” from Norwegian origins. It represents both strength and a loving nature, making it a unique and powerful choice.
Kallisto
Kallisto, also spelled Callisto, symbolizes love, beauty, and strength. This Greek name means “most beautiful” and is linked to the Great Bear constellation.
Kamakshi
Kamakshi is a Hindu name meaning “love” and “eye.” The name of the goddess of fertility, it signifies not only love but also life-giving power.
Manami
Manami combines the meanings “love” and “ocean” from Japanese origins. Perfect for those who love the sea, this name signifies both the vastness of the ocean and the depth of love.
Oshun
Oshun is a name from West African mythology. As the goddess of beauty, love, and water, she represents a connection to nature and powerful love.
Parvati
The name Parvati has Sanskrit roots and means “daughter of the mountain.” It is linked to the Hindu goddess of love and power, revered for her strength as the mother of Lord Ganesha.
Prende
Prende stands for love, beauty, new life, and the strength of women. In Albanian mythology, she is the goddess of dawn, love, health, and fertility, as well as the protector of women.
Torunn
Torunn originates from Old Norse, combining Thor, the god of thunder, and unna, meaning “to love.” This name captures both the might of Thor and the tenderness of love.
Venus
Venus is the Roman goddess of love, and she even has a planet named after her. This name evokes strong images of romance and grace.
Boy Names That Mean “Love”
Agapito
Agapito is a rare and unique boys’ name that means “beloved” in Greek or Latin.
Amadeus
This is a captivating Latin name that means “love of God.”
Most often associated with composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, it communicates a deep sense of passion and dedication, especially for music lovers.
Amandus
Meaning “lovable” or “worthy of love,” this name comes from the Latin word amanda, which itself became a popular girls’ name. Amandus was borne by both fifth- and seventh-century saints.
Caleb
A popular baby boys’ name that means “whole of my heart,” which your little one is sure to be! This is another common biblical name.
Caomh
Pronounced keev, this is a rare Irish name that means “gentle” and “beloved.”
Dragoljub
This unique Slavic name means “precious” and “love.” It’s also the Croatian and Serbian word for nasturtium, the flowering plant.
Eldad
Eldad is a Hebrew name meaning “God is love.”
Erasmus
Meaning “beloved” in Greek, Erasmus is a classic and scholarly name.
It gained prominence in the Middle Ages through the influential Dutch humanist and theologian Desiderius Erasmus.
Goteleib
If you’re looking for a unique moniker that means “love of god,” this German boys’ name contains the elements got, meaning “god,” and liob, meaning “beloved.”
Habib
Give your little one a name that means “love” or “darling” in Arabic. Habib is often used as a term of endearment in Arabic-speaking countries.
Hubert
This classic name means “bright heart” in Old German, making it perfect for a baby boy whose love will shine through.
Kalyan
An Indian boys’ name that means “lovely.”
Kevin
Celebrate your baby’s birth with this English name that means “beloved birth.”
Kevin comes from the Irish name Caoimhín, which belonged to a sixth-century saint.
Leofwine
An Old English name meaning “beloved friend.” Perfect for a friendly and loving baby boy.
Lovemore
If you’re seeking a name with a clear and straightforward expression of love, this English name directly translates to “love more.” It’s a common name in South Africa.
Boy Names That Mean “Love and Strength”
Aziz
Aziz is a strong yet tender Arabic name that means “respected,” “powerful,” and “beloved” or “cherished.”
It holds a spiritual connotation, often linked with divine love and power.
Bes
Though not specifically meaning “love and strength,” Bes is the name of the Egyptian god of music, love, and dance.
Bes is seen as a protector of the home and all things good.
Caratacus
Caratacus combines the meaning of “love” with a sense of strength.
This name was borne by a British chieftain from the first century, who is remembered for standing up against Roman rule.
Chadrakant
If a name signifying both “moon” and “love” appeals to you, consider Chadrakant.
In Sanskrit, it means “beloved by the moon.”
Corentin
Corentin offers a dual meaning, signifying either “love” or “hurricane/storm.” It’s a unique name of French origin.
David
A familiar name to many, David means “beloved.”
This name is linked with a significant biblical figure and has been used by saints and kings throughout history.
Epaphroditos
Epaphroditos is a powerful name meaning “lovely” and “charming” in Greek.
The name is derived from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess associated with love and beauty.
Eros
Eros, known in Roman mythology as Cupid, is the Greek god of love and the son of Aphrodite.
He is often depicted with wings and a bow and arrow, symbols commonly associated with making people fall in love.
Heremoana
This beautiful Tahitian name combines love with the strength of the ocean. “Heremoana” translates to “loved by the ocean,” making it an inspiring choice for a little boy.
Philadelphos
Philadelphos is a strong name for a baby boy destined to be a brother. It means “to love” and “brother” in Greek, blending family and affection in its meaning.
Gender-Neutral Baby Names That Mean “Love”
Amor
Amor, meaning “love” in Latin, Spanish, and Portuguese, is a unique name. It also refers to Cupid, the god of love, making it a special choice for babies.
Ceri
Ceri is a Welsh name pronounced KEH-ri. It means “to love” and works for boys and girls. The name might also come from the River Ceri in Ceredigion, Wales.
Chikondi
Chikondi is a South African name that translates to “love” in the Chewa language. It is suitable for any gender.
Delshad
Delshad is a Persian name meaning “happy heart.” It’s a lovely way to bring joy into your child’s life right from the start.
Fumnanya
Fumnanya is a West African name in the Igbo language, meaning “love me.” It’s a charming name for a new baby.
Gurpreet
Gurpreet is an Indian name combining “guru” and “love” in Sanskrit. It works well for boys and girls, spreading a message of wisdom and affection.
Harpreet
Harpreet is another Indian name from the word Hari, a Hindu god, with priti, meaning “love.” This name is suitable for any gender.
Ife
Ife is a name from the Igbo language in West Africa, and it means “love.” This name carries a warm, loving sentiment for any child.
Kaipo
Kaipo is a Hawaiian name translating to “pure heart.” It’s a sweet and endearing choice for a baby of any gender.
Ljuba
Ljuba is derived from the Slavic element lyuby, meaning “love.” It is an appealing name that suits both boys and girls.
Ren
Ren is a Japanese name meaning “love” or “lotus.” It’s a gentle and beautiful name for any baby.
Xinyi
Xinyi is a Chinese name combining xīn, which means “heart, mind, soul,” with yí, meaning “joy, harmony.” This name beautifully signifies love and balance.
Cute Male and Female Names That Mean “Love”
Aiko
Aiko is a sweet name for girls. In Japanese, “ai” means “love” and “ko” means “child.” Together, they form the adorable meaning “child of love.”
Anbu
For a unique touch, Anbu is a Tamil name that simply means “love.” This straightforward yet powerful meaning makes it a beautiful choice.
Armas
Armas is a charming boys’ name with the delightful meaning of “beloved” in Finnish. It’s easy to pronounce and filled with affection.
Ásta
Ásta is a lovely name for girls that translates to “love” in Icelandic. This name’s simplicity adds to its charm.
Cara
Cara is a short and sweet name for girls. It has two meanings: “beloved” in Italian and “friend” in Irish. Parents can choose the meaning they connect with the most.
Carwyn
Carwyn is a whimsical boys’ name that means “to love” and “blessed” in Welsh. It’s perfect for a little boy who is a true blessing.
Carys
Carys is a modern Welsh name for girls that means “love.” It started becoming popular in the twentieth century and continues to be a favorite.
Erato
Erato is a Greek name for girls that means “lovely.” It’s also the name of the muse of poetry in Greek mythology, making it ideal for those who appreciate the arts.
Esmé
Esmé means “loved” or “esteemed” in Old French. This name has gained popularity in England and Scotland, and it’s easy to see why.
Kokoro
Kokoro is a Japanese girls’ name with the beautiful meaning of “heart, mind, and soul.” Its charming spelling adds to its appeal.
Libi
Libi is an adorable name for girls that translates to “my heart” in Hebrew. It’s simple and heartfelt.
Minna
Minna is an Old German name for girls meaning “love.” Its simplicity makes it a versatile and timeless choice.
Even More Names Meaning “Love”
Amy
Amy comes from the French name “Amee” and means “beloved.”
Esme
Esme has French roots and translates to “esteemed” or “loved.”
Mila
This name is of Slavic origin and means “gracious” or “dear.”
Aiko
Aiko is a Japanese name meaning “love child.”
Amora
Amora originates in Spanish, directly translating to “love.”
Davina
Davina, of Scottish origin, means “beloved.”
Priya
Priya is a popular Indian name that means “beloved.”
Kalila
Kalila is an Arabic name, translating to “beloved.”
Carina
Carina comes from Latin and means “dear” or “beloved.”
Cher
Cher is of French origin and means “dear” or “beloved.”
Lubov
Lubov is a Russian name meaning “love.”
Aimée
This French name translates directly to “beloved.”
Mabel
Of Latin origin, Mabel means “lovable.”
Charity
Charity, an English name, stands for love and giving.
Nayeli
This name comes from the Zapotec, meaning “I love you.”
Amadea
Amadea is of Latin origin and translates to “God’s beloved.”
Cara
Cara means “beloved” in Italian.
Ahava
Ahava has Hebrew roots and means “love.”
Amorette
This French name means “little love.”
Vida
Vida is of Latin origin, translating to “life” but also used to mean “love.”