Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Inspiration

100 popular baby names that mean love

Show your baby how much you love them with a name that means amour

By
baby asleep in a heart-shaped box
Anil Sharma / Pexels

Choosing your baby’s name is a huge decision. You and your partner have made lists. There have been numerous suggestions from well-meaning family and friends. If that perfect name still eludes you, why not pick a name that actually means love? You already adore your little one all the way to the moon and back.

Names that mean love are a wonderful way to show your child how much you treasure them. There are actually hundreds of names through the ages that mean love or a variation on the emotion. You don’t need to have a February baby to decide on a love name, either. A love name is ideal for any baby as long as the name speaks to you.

Recommended Videos

Names that mean love

Cookie cutouts for Valentine's Day
alleksana / Pexels

You’ve been through the baby names lists, and nothing stands out. Well, dare to be different and look to the language of love. Thankfully, there’s not a shortage of names that mean love. Love names come from across the globe, spanning multiple languages. So, if you’re looking for a unique name, you just might find the inspiration you were looking for on this list of baby names that mean love.

Related

Esme

If you’re a fan of the popular British drama Grantchester, you are familiar with the girl name Esme. Esme has its origins in France and means beloved. It has also been among the top 1,000 baby names in America.

Lennon

For parents-to-be searching for a gender-neutral baby name, how about Lennon. Lennon is an Irish name that means lover. It’s also a great pick for music fans with its close ties to legendary Beatle, John Lennon.

Annabelle

A combo of two popular names, Anna and Belle, gives us this beautiful name that means loving.

Cerys

A unique girl name is actually very popular in Wales. The Welsh name Cerys is another name that means love.

Suki

Gilmore Girls fans will be happy to know that the beloved character of Suki’s name actually means love. This Japanese name is a cousin of the name Susan.

Priya

Another unique name for a girl is Priya. Priya has its origins in India and also means beloved.

David

This is a classic name. David is a Hebrew name, which means beloved as well.

Milena

If you’re looking for a different girl name, try Milena. Its origins come from Central Europe. Milena means love, warmth, and grace.

Love

Yes, you could go this route, too. Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt had it as her middle name. Love could also be a gender-neutral first name, but consider whether your child will “love” the name when school starts.

Croia

An extremely popular name in Ireland, Croia means heart. If you’ve been looking for a little-known girl name, this may just fit the bill.

More girl names that mean love

Cute baby girl in a headband sitting up.
DinaPhoto / Shutterstock

For some more love-inspired names, try these to see if they speak to your heart.

  • Adora
  • Aiko
  • Aimee
  • Amanda
  • Cara
  • Carissa
  • Cher
  • Davina
  • Filomena
  • Freya
  • Kalei
  • Kalila
  • Mabel
  • Mila
  • Mina
  • Mirna
  • Paris
  • Philomena
  • Pippa
  • Valentina
  • Venus
  • Yaretzi
  • Cora
  • Juliet
  • Noorie
  • Siran
  • Emma
  • Amorette
  • Aphrodite
  • Caera
  • Caralie
  • Carwen
  • Davita
  • Dodi
  • Ismay
  • Keris
  • Lida
  • Lovey
  • Maryam

More boy names that mean love

Baby boy wearing a blue knitted cap
Pshenina_m / Shutterstock

There does seem to be quite a few girl names that mean love, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a list of boy names that also mean amour. If you want to give your little guy a name that means love, see if one of these strikes a chord.

  • Amias
  • Amadeus
  • Amado
  • Theophilus
  • Beau
  • Desi
  • Obi
  • Jedidiah or Jed
  • Erasmus
  • Prem
  • Aziz
  • Corwin or Corwyn
  • Dewey
  • Lennan
  • Lev
  • Kordian
  • Milo
  • Milos
  • Osian
  • Romeo
  • Philip
  • Fenmore
  • Ren
  • Cedric
  • Kevin
  • Sajan
  • Connor
  • Philemon
  • Philo
  • Didier
  • Caradoc
  • Erazem
  • Darrell
  • Dilan or Dylan
  • Connelly
  • Ceri
  • Leofric
  • Graziano
  • Cordian
  • Armas

As a parent-to-be, picking the perfect name is an exciting and daunting time. There are so many names, from classic to trendy to retro. It can really be hard, especially when you want to choose a meaningful name your child will love when they are older. So, if you want to go with a name your child will hopefully adore, how about a name that means love?

There are actually quite a few names with origins in many languages that mean love. A name that means love can be the ultimate gesture of adoration for your baby. We have compiled a list of 100 baby names that mean love or beloved that span the globe. From the French Esme to the immortal Cher to the classic David to the gender-neutral Lennon, you are bound to find one that suits your little Lovey. Yes, that’s a name that means love, too.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Dawn Miller
Dawn Miller
Contributor
Dawn Miller began her professional life as an elementary school teacher before returning to her first love, writing. In…
Need baby name inspo? These royal names are classic
Regal names for your royal family
Baby names

Let's face it, most of us are fascinated with royal families. Perhaps it's the lure of living in a castle or that fabulous royal wedding, but monarchies will always be in fashion. Of course, the first royal family that probably pops into your head is the one across the pond. They're not the only royal family though.

Did you know that there are more than 40 countries across the globe with a royal family? Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Japan, and Monaco, are just the tip of the crown for countries that still have a royal family. Many consider the British royal family to be the most popular, but all tend to have their moment in the sun, especially when there's a baby in the midst. When a royal couple is about the have a baby, all eyes are on the name. So, where do royals get their inspiration? From history! When royals are considering baby names, they look back at their predecessors.

Read more
Baby essentials checklist: Do you have everything you need?
Prepare for your little one's arrival with this handy checklist
Couple sitting in the nursery

Getting ready for baby's arrival is super exciting and overwhelming. Heading down the aisles of a baby store is exhilarating. It seems like everything you see is something your baby is going to need. Of course, those impulse buys can put a massive dent in your budget. So, instead of shopping online or in person without a guide, prepare a list of baby essentials. You don't want to overwhelm your nursery space or your home with baby stuff you don't need or might not need.

Making a checklist of baby essentials is also important when it comes to putting together a baby registry. Now, don't add any more stress to your plate. We've got the go-to list of baby essentials you're going to need for bath time, bedtime, baby gear, and beyond.
Baby essentials

Read more
How to choose childcare for infants: 6 things to consider
Find the right place to take care of your infant that fits your family's needs
Four babies at daycare

Whether you have to go back to work or need some time to get things done around the house without constantly stopping to care for your baby, childcare is an option for parents to do what they need to. Looking for childcare for your family's needs could be a stressful decision, no matter the reasons behind it. But it makes it even more challenging for parents when it's for their infant who can't tell you what they think about the care they receive. Here's how to choose childcare for infants that will put parents at ease.
How to pick childcare for your infant

Finding proper childcare for an infant is hard. You are putting the care of an extremely vulnerable human in the hands of someone else. Your baby won't be able to tell you if they were fed, cleaned up, ignored, or given the best care they've ever seen outside of being with you.
When to start looking
If you know you will be right back to work, you should start looking for childcare before you have the baby. Waitlists can be long at public institutions, so it's best to get your name on one early. Plus, you will be so tired from having a newborn that you may forget to find one or not be mentally aware when asking questions of the potential provider.
How old baby should be
When your child starts daycare will be up to you. Know that there is a weird window from 7 to 12 months where babies have stranger danger that makes it hard to transition a new caregiver into their life. It doesn't matter if you return to work at six weeks or six months — there will be a childcare option. Most facilities are licensed to take babies starting at six weeks. 
Your budget
Money makes the world go round — and is a huge factor in the decision. What you can afford will narrow down your options. You need to decide if you go private, in-home, or find a daycare through a church or school. The costs vary across the board from state to state and from type to type, so get a quote from every possibility before deciding.
What your needs are
Are you looking for a full-time daycare or a place to watch your bundle of joy a few hours a day, a few times a week? Do you want a daycare open on the weekends? Do you work from home and need help? Do you have to work holidays? Not only will knowing this help with budgeting for childcare, but it will eliminate certain options. 
What to know
No matter which option you go for, ask questions. Ask about their hours, closing procedures, the ratio of kids to adults, their holiday hours, if they offer financial assistance, staff qualifications to work there, pick-up and drop-off procedures, and what a typical day looks like. Answers to questions like these could make or break a childcare option.
Different types of childcare for an infant

Read more