Some names hint at love. These say it outright. From the Latin Amara to the Irish Grá, they carry affection right in their roots, so the meaning is baked in before your baby ever answers to it.
You’ll find 100 names that mean love here, split into 61 picks for girls and 39 for boys. Each one comes with its origin and the story behind the meaning, spanning romance languages, old saints’ names, and a few quieter gems you won’t hear on every playground.
Scroll through and see which one makes your heart do a little flip.
61 Darling Love Names for Girls
Prepare to swoon over these affectionate choices for your daughter.
- Adelpha: A Greek girl name from adelphe, meaning “beloved sister”.
- Agapi: A Greek name drawn from agape, the word for selfless, unconditional love.
- Ahava: The Hebrew word for “love” itself, soft and gentle as a given name.
- Aiko: A Japanese name meaning “beloved child”, carried by singer Jhene Aiko.
- Amada: A melodic Spanish girl’s name meaning “loved” or “dearly cherished”.
- Amadea: The feminine form of Amadeus, Latin for “God’s beloved”.
- Amanda: A Latin classic meaning “worthy of love”, from amare, to love.
- Amandine: A French elaboration of Amanda meaning “much-loved”.
- Amata: A Latin and Italian girl name meaning simply “beloved”.
- Amora: Spanish for “love”, direct and warm.
- Amoris: A Latin name rooted in amor, love.
- Angharad: A Welsh name meaning “much-loved”, borne by heroines of medieval Welsh legend.
- Aroha: A gender-neutral Maori name meaning “love” and compassion.
- Amy: From the Old French amee, “beloved”; shared by comedian Amy Schumer.
- Aziza: An Arabic name meaning “powerful” and “beloved”.
- Cariad: A Welsh term of endearment, “darling” or “love”, used as a name.
- Carina: Italian for “dear little one”, and the name of a southern constellation.
- Carita: A Latin name for girls meaning “dear” or “beloved”.
- Carwen: A Welsh girl’s name joining car (love) and gwen (blessed, fair).
- Carys: A modern Welsh name from caru, “to love”.
- Cher: French for “dear” or “beloved”, made iconic by the single-named singer.
- Cherish: An English virtue name meaning “to hold dear”.
- Cordelia: A literary name, King Lear’s loyal daughter, often linked to the Latin cor, heart.
- Darla: An English name meaning “darling”, a sweetheart of a choice.
- Dua: An Albanian name meaning “love” (and “prayer” in Arabic), popularized by Dua Lipa.
- Elska: An Icelandic word for “to love”, with a storybook feel.
- Esha: A Sanskrit name meaning “desire”.
- Esme: From the Old French esmer, “esteemed” and “beloved”.
- Femi: A Yoruba name meaning “the Lord loves me”, short for Olufemi.
- Freya: The Norse goddess of love and beauty; the name means “noblewoman” or “lady”.
- Habiba: An Arabic name meaning “beloved” or “sweetheart”.
- Halia: A Hawaiian name meaning “remembrance of a loved one”.
- Haviva: A Hebrew name meaning “well loved” or “cherished”.
- Idony: A Norse name from the goddess Idun, tied to renewal and “love again”.
- Ife: A short Yoruba name meaning “love”.
- Kalila: An Arabic name for girls meaning “beloved” or “darling”.
- Kerensa: A Cornish name meaning “love”, rare even in Cornwall.
- Libi: A Hebrew name meaning “my heart”, one of the prettiest Hebrew girl names.
- Lovella: A feminine form of the surname Lovell, from an Old French word meaning wolf cub.
- Luba: A Russian name meaning “love” or “dear”.
- Ludmila: A Slavic name meaning “beloved of the people”.
- Mabel: A Latin-rooted name meaning “lovable”, from amabilis.
- Maite: A Basque name meaning “beloved”.
- Mariel: A Dutch form of Mary meaning “beloved”, though some trace it to “bitter”.
- Milada: A Czech name meaning “loving” or “gracious”.
- Milena: A Slavic name meaning “love”, “warmth”, or “grace”.
- Myfanwy: A Welsh girl name meaning “my lovely little one”.
- Nayeli: A Zapotec name meaning “I love you”.
- Paris: A French place name for the “city of love”.
- Philippa: A Greek name meaning “lover of horses”, often shortened to Pippa.
- Philomena: A Greek name meaning “lover of strength”, borne by a venerated saint.
- Philou: A sweet Dutch name for girls tied to philos, love.
- Pippa: A bright diminutive of Philippa, “lover of horses”.
- Priya: A Sanskrit name meaning “beloved” or “dear one”.
- Querida: An uncommon girl’s name meaning “dear” or “beloved” in Spanish.
- Siran: An Armenian name meaning “lovely” or “beautiful”.
- Suki: A Japanese name meaning “loved one”.
- Tivona: A Hebrew name meaning “lover of nature”.
- Vashti: An elegant girl’s name meaning “lovely”, borne by a Persian queen in the Book of Esther.
- Venus: The Roman goddess of love and beauty.
- Yaretzi: A Nahuatl girl name meaning “you will always be loved”.
39 Caring Love Names for Boys
These masculine monikers are perfect for your little heartbreaker.
- Amadeus: A Latin boy name meaning “lover of God”, immortalized by Mozart.
- Amado: A Spanish name meaning “beloved”.
- Amato: An Italian name meaning “loved”.
- Amatus: The Latin root behind Amato and Amadeus, meaning “beloved”.
- Amias: A vintage Latin name meaning “loved”, linked to amare.
- Armas: A Finnish name meaning “beloved” or “dear”.
- Caradoc: A Welsh name meaning “beloved”, borne by a legendary British chieftain.
- Caron: A Welsh boy name meaning “kind” or “loving”.
- Ceri: A unisex Welsh name from caru, “to love”.
- Chaviv: A Hebrew name meaning “beloved” or “dear one”.
- Connelly: An Irish surname turned first name, meaning “love” or “friendship”.
- Conor: An Irish classic meaning “lover of hounds”.
- Cordian: A rare Latin-rooted name tied to cor, the heart.
- Darrell: A French name meaning “dear one” or “beloved”.
- David: A Hebrew name meaning “beloved”, one of the Bible’s central kings.
- Desi: A unisex name from the Spanish desiderio, “desired”.
- Dewey: A Welsh form of David, “beloved”, with a retro charm.
- Didier: A French name meaning “desired” or “beloved”.
- Dilan: The Turkish form of Dylan, meaning “love”.
- Drury: An Old French surname meaning “sweetheart” or “dear one”.
- Erasmus: A Greek name meaning “beloved”, borne by the Renaissance scholar of Rotterdam.
- Graziano: An Italian name meaning “pleasing” or “beloved”.
- Habib: An Arabic name meaning “loved one”, the root of the endearment habibi.
- Hart: An English name meaning “stag”, a near-homophone of “heart”.
- Janan: An Arabic name meaning “heart” and “soul”.
- Jebediah: A Hebrew name meaning “beloved friend”.
- Jedidiah: A biblical boy’s name meaning “beloved of the Lord”, given to King Solomon.
- Kama: A Sanskrit name meaning “love” or “desire”, also the Hindu god of love.
- Kamaka: A Hawaiian name meaning “beloved child”.
- Kealoha: A Hawaiian pick meaning “the loved one”.
- Lennon: An Irish name meaning “lover” or “dear”, honoring John Lennon.
- Leofric: A Germanic name meaning “dear ruler”.
- Liev: A Yiddish form of Lev meaning “heart”, pronounced LEE-ev.
- Milos: A Slavic name meaning “lover of glory”.
- Obi: An Igbo name meaning “heart”, common in Nigeria.
- Philip: A Greek boy name meaning “lover of horses”.
- Rudo: An African name meaning “love” in Shona.
- Sajan: A Hindi name meaning “beloved” or “sweetheart”.
- Valentine: A Latin name meaning “strong” or “healthy”, tied to the patron saint of love.
Love Names FAQs
What Is a Name That Means Love?
A name that means love is one whose root translation is affection, adoration, or the heart itself. These picks span Latin, Welsh, Nahuatl, and other romance-rich origins. A few favorites:
Girl Names
- Amora: “Love”
- Carys: “Love”
- Nayeli: “I love you”
Boy Names
- Amadeus: “Lover of God”
- Dilan: “Love”
- Lennon: “Lover”
What Is the Latin Name for Love?
The Latin root for love is amor, which inspires names like Amoris, Carita, and Amias. These carry a classic, romantic feel:
Girl Names
- Amoris: “Loved”
- Carita: “Love”
- Mabel: “Lovable”
Boy Names
- Amias: “Loved”
- Cordian: “Of the heart”
- Valentine: “Strength” or “Health” (associated with St. Valentine)
What Boy Name Means Heart?
Boy names that mean heart include Lev, Obi, and Cordian. Each points to the center of emotion in a different language:
- Lev: A Russian and Hebrew name meaning “heart.”
- Obi: An African Igbo name meaning “heart.”
- Cordian: A Latin choice meaning “of the heart.”
- Hart: While it technically means “stag,” the phonetic connection to “heart” is undeniable.
Who Is the God of Love?
The most famous gods of love are Eros (Greek), Cupid (Roman), and Kama (Hindu), and each makes a bold baby name:
- Eros: The Greek winged god of love and desire.
- Cupid: The Roman counterpart to Eros, often depicted as a cherub.
- Kama: The Hindu deity of love and desire.
What Japanese Name Means Love?
The Japanese name for love is Ai, built on the kanji for love and affection. It anchors several beautiful options:
- Ai: Means “love” or “affection.”
- Aiko: Means “beloved child.”
- Manami: Can mean “love” combined with “beauty” or “sea.”
- Ren: A popular unisex name meaning “lotus,” or “love” and “romance” depending on the kanji.
What Names Mean Unconditional Love?
Names that suggest unconditional love include Agapi, Amadea, and Yaretzi. Few translate the full phrase, but these imply a deep, eternal bond:
- Agapi: Greek for “universal” or “unconditional love” (often used for God’s love).
- Amadea: “God’s beloved.”
- Yaretzi: “You will always be loved.”
What Gender-Neutral Names Mean Love?
Gender-neutral names that mean love include Aroha, Ceri, and Desi. They work beautifully for any baby:
- Aroha: Maori for “love.”
- Ceri: Welsh for “to love.”
- Desi: Spanish and Latin for “desired.”
- Paris: Associated with the city of love.
Are There Names That Mean Gift of Love?
Yes. Names that blend the idea of a gift with love include Donato, Theo, and Carwen. Each pairs a treasured present with devotion:
- Donato: Meaning “gift from God.”
- Theo: Short for Theodore, meaning “gift of God.”
- Xon: An uncommon name meaning “precious gift.”
- Carwen: Welsh for “blessed love.”
