Finding a baby name with a beautiful meaning can make the choice feel even more special. If you want a name connected with affection, devotion, or being loved, there are many wonderful options from different languages and cultures.
This guide features 100 names that mean love, beloved, dear, or have a strong connection with love. You’ll find girl names, boy names, gender-neutral choices, short names, unique boy names and options, and names from different parts of the world.
Whether you want something classic like Amy, meaningful like Priya, or distinctive like Aroha, these names can give your baby’s name an extra layer of meaning.
Girl Names That Mean Love
Here are some beautiful girl names that mean love or beloved.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Ahava | Love | Hebrew |
| Aroha | Love | Māori |
| Amy | Beloved | English/French |
| Amora | Love | Modern English |
| Amanda | Lovable, worthy of love | Latin |
| Carys | Love | Welsh |
| Priya | Beloved | Sanskrit |
| Esmé | Esteemed, loved | Old French |
| Diletta | Beloved | Italian |
| Kalila | Beloved | Arabic |
| Haviva | Well-loved | Hebrew |
| Ahuva | Beloved | Hebrew |
| Carina | Dear, beloved | Latin |
| Cara | Beloved | Italian |
| Frida | Beautiful, beloved | Old Norse |
| Angharad | Much loved | Welsh |
| Widad | Love | Arabic |
| Sevgi | Love | Turkish |
| Prema | Love | Sanskrit |
| Liba | Love | Yiddish |
Carys
Carys is a lovely Welsh name connected with the word caru, meaning “to love.” It has a soft but distinctive sound and is a great choice for parents looking for a meaningful Welsh baby name.
Ahava
Ahava is a Hebrew name meaning “love.” Its direct meaning makes it one of the strongest choices for parents searching for names that mean love.
Priya
Priya comes from Sanskrit and means “beloved.” It is a familiar name across South Asian cultures and has a warm, affectionate meaning.
Amy
Amy is an English form of the Old French name Amée, meaning “beloved.” It is short, familiar, and easy to pronounce.
Esmé
Esmé has Old French roots and is associated with being “esteemed” or “loved.” The name feels elegant while still being easy to use.
Boy Names That Mean Love
If you are searching for boy names that mean love, these options offer meanings connected with love, affection, or being beloved.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Amor | Love | Latin |
| David | Beloved | Hebrew |
| Aziz | Beloved, respected | Arabic |
| Habib | Beloved, darling | Arabic |
| Pritam | Most beloved | Sanskrit |
| Amado | Beloved | Spanish |
| Anteros | Love returned | Greek |
| Anurag | Love, affection | Sanskrit |
| Anbu | Love | Tamil |
| Prem | Love, affection | Sanskrit |
| Carwyn | Love + blessed/white | Welsh |
| Amandus | Lovable, worthy of love | Latin |
| Philetus | Beloved | Greek |
| Mahbub | Beloved, dear | Arabic |
| Armas | Beloved | Finnish |
| Caomh | Dear, beloved | Irish |
| Eldad | Possibly “God is beloved” | Hebrew |
| Shrivatsa | Beloved of Shri | Sanskrit |
| Chandrakant | Beloved by the moon | Sanskrit |
| Amatus | Beloved | Latin |
David
David is a classic Hebrew name traditionally connected with the meaning “beloved.” It has a long biblical history and remains a familiar choice in the United States.
Amor
Amor means “love” in Latin and is also the Spanish and Portuguese word for love. Its direct meaning makes it an appealing choice for parents seeking a romantic and meaningful name.
Aziz
Aziz is an Arabic name associated with meanings including “powerful,” “respected,” and “beloved.” It has a strong and distinctive sound.
Habib
Habib is an Arabic name meaning “beloved” or “darling.” It is especially meaningful for parents who want a name expressing affection.
Prem
Prem comes from Sanskrit and means “love” or “affection.” It is short, simple, and deeply meaningful.
Gender-Neutral Names That Mean Love
Some names that mean love can work well for either boys or girls.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Aroha | Love | Māori |
| Amor | Love | Latin |
| Rudo | Love | Shona |
| Upendo | Love, affection | Swahili |
| Chikondi | Love | Chewa |
| Ife | Love | Yoruba |
| Alofa | Love | Samoan |
| Ai | Love, affection | Japanese |
| Mudiwa | Beloved, darling | Shona |
| Unisex | Love-related choices vary by culture | Various |
Aroha
Aroha is a Māori name meaning “love.” It can be used for both girls and boys and has a gentle, meaningful sound.
Rudo
Rudo is a Shona name meaning “love.” It is short and unusual, making it an interesting option for parents looking for a less common name.
Upendo
Upendo is a Swahili name meaning “love” or “affection.” It has a distinctive sound and a very positive meaning.
Short Names That Mean Love
If you prefer a short baby name, consider these choices:
- Ai — love, affection
- Amy — beloved
- Cara — beloved
- Ife — love
- Prem — love, affection
- Rudo — love
- Amor — love
- Aziz — beloved
- Liba — love
- Aiko — love + child, depending on kanji
Short names are especially appealing because they are generally easy to spell, pronounce, and pair with longer middle names.
Unique Names That Mean Love
Want something less familiar? These unique names that mean love offer interesting choices from different cultures.
1. Alofa
A Samoan name meaning “love.”
2. Anbu
A Tamil name meaning “love.”
3. Chikondi
A Chewa name meaning “love.”
4. Kerensa
A Cornish feminine name meaning “love.”
5. Mudiwa
A Shona name meaning “beloved” or “darling.”
6. Widad
An Arabic name meaning “love.”
7. Upendo
A Swahili name meaning “love” or “affection.”
8. Diletta
An Italian name meaning “beloved.”
9. Thandiwe
A Southern African name meaning “beloved.”
10. Ahuva
A Hebrew name meaning “beloved.”
These names can be especially attractive if you want a meaningful name that is not heard as often as traditional choices.
Names That Mean Beloved
Not every name has to literally translate to “love.” Some beautiful names mean beloved, dear, lovable, or loved.
Some excellent choices include:
- Amy — beloved
- David — beloved
- Priya — beloved
- Ahuva — beloved
- Habib — beloved
- Amado — beloved
- Diletta — beloved
- Pritam — most beloved
- Philetus — beloved
- Thandiwe — beloved
- Kalila — beloved
- Haviva — well-loved
- Carina — dear, beloved
- Cara — beloved
- Esmé — esteemed or loved
This category is useful when searching for names that mean love but you want a slightly softer interpretation.
Names That Mean Love in Different Languages
Love is expressed differently across languages and cultures. These names offer a beautiful way to connect a baby’s name with a particular heritage or language.
| Name | Meaning | Language/Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Ahava | Love | Hebrew |
| Aroha | Love | Māori |
| Amor | Love | Latin |
| Anbu | Love | Tamil |
| Anurag | Love, affection | Sanskrit |
| Prem | Love, affection | Sanskrit |
| Prema | Love | Sanskrit |
| Sevgi | Love | Turkish |
| Widad | Love | Arabic |
| Liba | Love | Yiddish |
| Ife | Love | Yoruba |
| Rudo | Love | Shona |
| Upendo | Love, affection | Swahili |
| Chikondi | Love | Chewa |
| Cinta | Love | Indonesian |
| Alofa | Love | Samoan |
| Kerensa | Love | Cornish |
These international options can make your baby’s name feel both meaningful and distinctive.
Japanese Names Connected With Love
Japanese names can express love through specific kanji characters.
Ai can be written with the kanji 愛, meaning “love” or “affection.”
Aiko can include 愛 (“love”) and 子 (“child”), although the exact meaning depends on the kanji selected.
Aimi can use 愛 (“love”) together with 美 (“beauty”).
Because Japanese names can have multiple kanji spellings, it is important to check the exact characters before choosing a name based on meaning.
Names Associated With Love
Some names are strongly connected with love but do not literally translate to “love.”
For example:
- Romeo — strongly associated with romantic love through Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
- Juliet — associated with romantic love through Shakespeare’s famous tragedy
- Valentine — associated with love and affection through the tradition of Valentine’s Day
- Eros — associated with romantic love in Greek mythology
- Aphrodite — Greek goddess associated with love and beauty
- Venus — Roman goddess associated with love and beauty
These should be described as love-associated names, rather than names that literally mean love.
Popular Names That Mean Love
If popularity matters to you, it is useful to separate traditional names from names that are currently popular in the United States.
The U.S. Social Security Administration publishes annual baby-name rankings based on Social Security card applications. In the latest 2025 data, Olivia was the top girls’ name and Liam was the top boys’ name.
Some love-related names have also remained familiar in the United States. For example, David ranked #35 among boys’ names in 2025.
If you want to check whether a name is currently popular, always look at the latest SSA data rather than relying on an old ranking.
How to Choose the Right Name
Choosing from so many names that mean love can be difficult. Start by deciding what type of name you want.
Think about the meaning
Do you want the name to literally mean “love,” or would “beloved,” “dear,” or “lovable” work too?
Consider pronunciation
A beautiful name should also be practical for your family. Say the first and middle names together several times before making a decision.
Check the origin
If cultural or family heritage is important to you, research the name’s original language and history.
Think about nicknames
Some longer names naturally create cute girl names nicknames. For example, Amanda can become Mandy, while David can become Dave or Davy.
Check the spelling
Unique spellings can look attractive, but a very unusual spelling may require frequent corrections. Choose one that feels right for your family.
20 Favorite Names That Mean Love
If you want a quick shortlist, these are some of the strongest options:
- Ahava — Love
- Aroha — Love
- Amor — Love
- Carys — Love
- Priya — Beloved
- Amy — Beloved
- Amanda — Lovable
- David — Beloved
- Habib — Beloved
- Prem — Love, affection
- Prema — Love
- Widad — Love
- Rudo — Love
- Upendo — Love, affection
- Alofa — Love
- Anbu — Love
- Diletta — Beloved
- Ahuva — Beloved
- Thandiwe — Beloved
- Esmé — Esteemed or loved
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best name that means love?
There is no single best choice. Ahava, Aroha, Amor, Carys, Priya, and Amy are all meaningful options, depending on the language and style you prefer.
What girl name means love?
Some beautiful girl names that mean love or beloved include Ahava, Aroha, Carys, Priya, Amy, Amanda, Esmé, Diletta, and Ahuva.
What boy name means love?
Good options include Amor, David, Prem, Anbu, Anurag, Habib, Amado, and Aziz.
What name means beloved?
Names associated directly with “beloved” include David, Amy, Priya, Ahuva, Habib, Amado, Diletta, and Pritam.
What is a unique name that means love?
Aroha, Kerensa, Upendo, Chikondi, Alofa, Rudo, and Widad are distinctive choices with meanings connected to love.
What is a short name that means love?
Ai, Amy, Ife, Prem, Rudo, and Amor are short options with direct or closely related meanings.
Is Amor a name that means love?
Yes. Amor is a name meaning “love” in Latin and is also the Spanish and Portuguese word for love.
Does Carys mean love?
Yes. Carys is a Welsh feminine name derived from caru, meaning “to love.”
Does Priya mean love?
Priya means “beloved” in Sanskrit. It is therefore closely connected with the idea of love.
Are names that mean love popular in the United States?
Some are familiar in the U.S., while many international love-related names are relatively uncommon. For current U.S. rankings, the Social Security Administration’s baby-name database is the best source to check.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a name with a meaningful definition can make your baby’s name feel even more personal. From direct choices like Ahava, Amor, and Aroha to beloved names such as Amy, David, and Priya, there are many beautiful possibilities.
The best names that mean love are not necessarily the most unusual ones. Think about the meaning, pronunciation, cultural background, spelling, and how naturally the name works with your family’s surname.
Take your time, make a shortlist, and choose the name that feels most meaningful to you and your family.
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