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Choosing a name that means love is one of the most intentional gifts you can give a child. If you want our top picks before diving in, here are five standout names from across this entire list, each exceptional in meaning, origin, and sound:
- Aiko — Japanese “Child of Love”
- Agape — Greek “Unconditional Love”
- Carys — Welsh “Beloved”
- Jedidiah — Hebrew “Beloved of God”
- Ahava — Hebrew “Love”
Whether you are drawn to a classic English name, a poetic Japanese kanji pick, a bold Greek mythology reference, or a rare Welsh or Sanskrit gem, this list covers all of them. Below you will find 201 names that mean love organized by gender and origin, with clean tables for easy comparison, so you can find the perfect one with confidence.
The ancient Greeks alone recognized six distinct types of love: agape (unconditional love), eros (romantic love), philia (friendship love), storge (family love), philautia (self-love), and xenia (hospitality). Across every language and culture, parents have named their children after this most universal of human feelings, and this list brings together the very best of those names.
Girl Names That Mean Love
From timeless classics like Amy and Amanda to the elegant Japanese Megumi and rare Welsh Angharad, there are beautiful girl names rooted in love across every tradition.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Ai | Love, Affection | Japanese / Chinese |
| Aiko | Child of Love | Japanese |
| Aimi | Beautiful Love | Japanese |
| Airi | Love and Jasmine | Japanese |
| Aino | Beloved Child | Japanese / Finnish |
| Aimee | Beloved | French |
| Ahava | Love | Hebrew |
| Ahuva | Beloved | Hebrew |
| Amanda | Lovable, Worthy of Love | Latin |
| Amara | Eternal Love | Sanskrit / African |
| Angharad | Much Loved | Welsh |
| Annabelle | Loving Grace | French / Latin |
| Aphrodite | Goddess of Love and Beauty | Greek Mythology |
| Agape | Unconditional Love | Ancient Greek |
| Aroha | Love | Maori (New Zealand) |
| Aziza | Beloved, Precious | Arabic |
| Amy | Beloved | English / French |
| Áine | Radiance, Fire, Love | Irish |
| Ásta | Love | Icelandic / Norse |
| Carina | Beloved, Dear | Latin |
| Carys | Love, Precious | Welsh |
| Caoimhe | Gentle and Beloved | Irish |
| Ceinwen | Lovely and Blessed | Welsh |
| Cordelia | Heart, Daughter of the Sea | Latin / Celtic |
| Dashuria | Love | Albanian |
| Dua | Love or Prayer | Albanian / Arabic |
| Esme | Esteemed, Loved | Persian / French |
| Evîn | Love | Kurdish |
| Fia | Love of Nature | Irish / Italian |
| Freya | Goddess of Love | Norse |
| Habiba | Beloved, Sweetheart | Arabic / African |
| Jamila | Beautiful | Arabic |
| Kalila | Beloved, Sweetheart | Arabic |
| Kalani | Sky, Heaven (love of nature) | Hawaiian |
| Lior | My Light, My Love | Hebrew |
| Mabel | Lovable, Dear | English / Latin |
| Manami | Affectionate Beauty | Japanese |
| Megumi | Blessing of Love | Japanese |
| Mila | Gracious, Dear | Slavic |
| Milena | Love and Warmth | Slavic |
| Noa | Love, Affection | Japanese / Hebrew |
| Philomena | Lover of Strength | Greek |
| Priya | Beloved, Darling | Sanskrit / Hindi |
| Prema | Love, Affection | Sanskrit |
| Querida | Beloved, Darling | Spanish |
| Riya | Beloved Singer | Sanskrit |
| Sakura | Cherry Blossom Love | Japanese |
| Suki | Beloved One | Japanese / English |
| Tsubaki | Camellia, Longing Love | Japanese |
| Venus | Roman Goddess of Love | Roman Mythology |
| Yaretzi | You Will Always Be Loved | Aztec / Nahuatl |
| Yumi | Beautiful Love | Japanese |
Boy Names That Mean Love
Boy names rooted in love often carry themes of devotion, steadfast loyalty, and deep affection. From the ever-popular David (Hebrew: beloved) to the poetic Japanese Aito (love that soars), there is no shortage of strong, meaningful options.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Amadeus | Love of God | Latin |
| Amias | Love, Friend | Latin |
| Adonis | Lord; Beloved by Aphrodite | Greek / Phoenician |
| Aito | Love That Soars (愛翔) | Japanese |
| Aziz | Beloved, Precious | Arabic |
| Caleb | Devoted, Faithful | Hebrew |
| Caradoc | Affection | Welsh |
| Cedric | Bounty, Love | Celtic / Old English |
| Connor | Lover of Hounds (deep devotion) | Irish |
| Daiki | Great Radiance, Affection (大輝) | Japanese |
| David | Beloved | Hebrew |
| Davis | Beloved (Son of David) | Hebrew |
| Dawit | Beloved (Ethiopian form of David) | Hebrew / Ethiopian |
| Dylan | Son of the Sea; Beloved | Welsh |
| Dwyn | God of Love | Celtic |
| Eiji | Eternal Affection (永慈) | Japanese |
| Eldad | God Has Loved | Hebrew |
| Elmo | Love | Latin / Greek / Italian |
| Eros | God of Romantic Love | Greek Mythology |
| Haruto | Sun of Love (陽翔) | Japanese |
| Hart | Brave, Strong Heart | English |
| Jedidiah | Beloved of God | Hebrew |
| Jin | Benevolence, Loving Kindness (仁) | Japanese / Korean |
| Kaito | Ocean of Affection (海翔) | Japanese |
| Kama | God of Love | Sanskrit / Hindu |
| Kazuki | Harmony and Hope (和希) | Japanese |
| Leif | Beloved, Descendant | Norse |
| Lennan | Sweetheart, Lover | Irish |
| Lev | Heart, Lion | Hebrew / Russian |
| Milos | Lover of Glory | Slavic |
| Muhib | Lover, Friend | Arabic |
| Philip | Horse Lover; Devoted | Greek |
| Renji | Love and Compassion (蓮慈) | Japanese |
| Rhys | Enthusiasm, Ardor | Welsh |
| Romeo | Pilgrim to Rome; Romantic Love | Italian |
| Ryō | Refreshing Love (涼) | Japanese |
| Stergios | To Show Love and Affection | Greek |
| Thaddeus | Heart, Brave Heart | Aramaic |
| Tristan | Bold Love; Hero of Legendary Romance | Celtic / Welsh |
| Valentine | Strong, Healthy Love | Latin |
| Valentino | Health and Love | Italian |
| Yedidya | Friend of God | Hebrew |
| Zane | Grace, Beauty | Arabic / Hebrew |
| Aiden | Little Fire; Warmth and Love | Irish |
| Cian | Ancient, Enduring Love | Irish |
| Haruhiro | Spring Abundance, Flourishing Love (春弘) | Japanese |
Gender-Neutral Names That Mean Love
Unisex names are increasingly popular worldwide. Many of the most meaningful love-inspired names are naturally gender-neutral — especially in Japanese, where meaning comes from kanji rather than from gendered naming conventions.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Ai | Love, Affection (愛) | Japanese / Chinese |
| Aoi | Blue Flower of Affection (葵) | Japanese |
| Ren | Romantic Love / Lotus (恋/蓮) | Japanese |
| Haru | Spring Love (春) | Japanese |
| Yuki | Happiness, Snow (雪/幸) | Japanese |
| Hikaru | Radiant Love (光) | Japanese |
| Natsuki | Summer Love (夏樹) | Japanese |
| Akira | Bright Affection (明) | Japanese |
| Mirai | Hope and Love (未来) | Japanese |
| Mizuki | Nurturing, Flowing Love (水樹) | Japanese |
| Haruka | Spring Flower, Distant Fragrance (春花) | Japanese |
| Paris | City of Love; Lover in Troy | Greek / French |
| Lennon | Beloved | Irish |
| Milan | Gracious, Beloved | Slavic |
| Rudo | Love | Shona (Zimbabwe) |
| Sajan | Beloved | Sanskrit |
| Love | Love (word name) | English |
| Amory | Love, Bravery | Latin / German |
| Ásta | Love | Icelandic / Norse |
| Desi | Desired, Beloved | Latin / Spanish |
Last Names That Mean Love
Love-inspired last names are rarely discussed, but they make wonderful choices as middle names, pen names, or even creative first name options. Here are standout surnames from different cultures that carry a meaning tied to love:
| Last Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Aizawa | Stream of Love (愛沢) | Japanese |
| Aikawa | River of Love (愛川) | Japanese |
| Aihara | Meadow of Love (愛原) | Japanese |
| Aida | Between Love and Harmony (会田) | Japanese |
| Ainohara | Field of Love (愛野原) | Japanese |
| Amor | Love | Spanish / Latin |
| Amato | Beloved | Italian |
| Amado | Beloved | Spanish |
| Caridad | Charity, Love | Spanish |
| Habib | Beloved | Arabic |
| Lieberman | Loving Man | German / Jewish |
| Obi | Heart (Symbolic of Love) | African / Igbo |
| Querido | Beloved | Spanish / Portuguese |
| Valentine | Strong Health and Love | Latin / French |
Japanese Names That Mean Love
Japanese names carry meaning through kanji — the written characters used to spell them. The kanji 愛 (Ai) directly means love or affection and is the most common character in Japanese love-related names. The kanji 恋 (Ren/Koi) means romantic yearning. Parents often combine love kanji with characters for beauty (美), child (子), or light (光) to create layered, poetic names. The same spoken name can have entirely different meanings depending on which kanji parents choose — making Japanese names uniquely personal.
Did you know? In Japan, some families consult a shimei sensei (naming expert) or visit a shrine to choose the most auspicious kanji for their child’s name. The combination of strokes in the characters is believed to influence a person’s fortune.
Japanese Girl Names That Mean Love
| Name (Kanji) | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Aiko (愛子) | Child of Love |
| Aimi (愛美) | Beautiful Love |
| Airi (愛莉) | Love and Jasmine |
| Aina (愛菜) | Love and Greens (Nurturing Love) |
| Aika (愛歌) | Love Song |
| Aisa (愛咲) | Love in Bloom |
| Manami (愛美) | Affectionate Beauty |
| Megumi (恵 / 愛) | Blessing of Love; Favour |
| Suki (好) | Beloved |
| Yumi (由美) | Beautiful Purpose of Love |
| Emina (恵美菜) | Blessed with Kind Love |
| Ayane (彩音) | Sound of Love |
| Aino (愛乃) | Beloved Child |
| Noa (乃愛) | Beloved Affection |
| Sakura (桜) | Cherry Blossom Love |
| Tsubaki (椿) | Camellia; Loyalty and Longing Love |
| Yume (夢) | Dream of Love |
Japanese Boy Names That Mean Love
| Name (Kanji) | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Aito (愛翔) | Love That Soars |
| Renji (蓮慈) | Love and Compassion |
| Haruto (陽翔) | Sun of Love |
| Eiji (永慈) | Eternal Affection |
| Daiki (大輝) | Great Affection / Radiance |
| Kaito (海翔) | Ocean of Affection |
| Kazuki (和希) | Harmony and Hope in Love |
| Ryō (涼) | Refreshing Love |
| Jin (仁) | Benevolence, Loving Kindness |
| Haruhiro (春弘) | Spring Abundance; Flourishing Love |
| Raiga (愛雅) | Love Over All |
| Mirai (未来) | Hope and Love for the Future |
Japanese Last Names That Mean Love
| Last Name (Kanji) | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Aizawa (愛沢) | Stream of Love |
| Aikawa (愛川) | River of Love |
| Aihara (愛原) | Meadow of Love |
| Aida (会田) | Between Love and Harmony |
| Ainohara (愛野原) | Field of Love |
Greek Names That Mean Love
Ancient Greek philosophy gave the world some of the most nuanced thinking about love ever recorded. The Greeks recognized that love is not a single feeling — it is a family of distinct experiences. Names rooted in Greek tradition carry that philosophical depth:
| Name | Type / Meaning of Love | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Agape (ἀγάπη) | Selfless, Unconditional Love | Girl / Unisex |
| Eros (ἔρως) | Romantic, Passionate Love | Boy |
| Philia (φιλία) | Virtuous Friendship Love | Girl |
| Stergios | Family Affection (στοργή) | Boy |
| Philautia (φιλαυτία) | Self-Love | Girl / Unisex |
| Adonis | Beloved by Aphrodite | Boy |
| Aphrodite | Goddess of Love and Beauty | Girl |
| Philomena | Lover of Strength | Girl |
| Adelpha | Beloved Sister | Girl |
| Eustorgio | One Who is Content in Love | Boy |
Agape deserves special mention. It represents the highest, most selfless form of love — the kind a parent feels for a newborn child. Early Christian communities used this word to describe divine love, making it spiritually meaningful across multiple traditions. It is also one of the most powerful and distinctive name choices on this entire list.
Girl Names That Mean Love and Strength
| Name | Love + Strength Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Amara | Eternal Love + Immortal Strength | Sanskrit / African |
| Cordelia | Heart + Daughter of the Sea | Latin / Celtic |
| Freya | Love Goddess + Warrior Spirit | Norse |
| Leona | Love + Brave as a Lion | Latin |
| Philomena | Lover of Strength | Greek |
| Caoimhe | Beloved + Gentle Strength | Irish |
| Valentina | Strong, Healthy Love | Latin |
| Carys | Beloved + Precious | Welsh |
Boy Names That Mean Love and Strength
| Name | Love + Strength Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| David | Beloved + Brave (defeated Goliath) | Hebrew |
| Caleb | Devoted + Strong Heart | Hebrew |
| Valentine | Love + Health and Strength | Latin |
| Tristan | Bold Love; Brave Warrior in Legend | Celtic |
| Rhys | Fiery Ardor + Strength | Welsh |
| Hart | Brave, Strong Heart | English |
Girl Names That Mean Love and Beauty
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Aimi (愛美) | Love and Beauty | Japanese |
| Aphrodite | Goddess of Love and Beauty | Greek |
| Aziza | Beloved and Beautiful | Arabic |
| Bella | Beautiful | Italian |
| Calista | Most Beautiful | Greek |
| Carina | Beloved and Beautiful | Latin |
| Jamila | Beautiful | Arabic |
| Kalea | Happiness and Beauty | Hawaiian |
| Lubna | Beautiful Like a Storax Tree | Arabic |
| Manami (愛美) | Affectionate Beauty | Japanese |
| Mirabelle | Admirable Beauty | French |
| Priya | Beloved Darling | Sanskrit |
| Venus | Roman Goddess of Love and Beauty | Roman |
Unique Girl Names That Mean Love
If you want something distinctive — a name that goes well beyond the familiar Amy or Amanda — here are rare and unique girl names that mean love from languages and cultures most people have never explored:
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Ahava | Love | Hebrew |
| Ahuva | Beloved | Hebrew |
| Angharad | Much Loved | Welsh |
| Áine | Radiance and Love | Irish |
| Aroha | Love | Maori (New Zealand) |
| Ásta | Love | Icelandic |
| Caoimhe | Gentle and Beloved | Irish |
| Ceinwen | Lovely and Blessed | Welsh |
| Dashuria | Love | Albanian |
| Evîn | Love | Kurdish |
| Kalila | Beloved, Sweetheart | Arabic |
| Prema | Love and Affection | Sanskrit |
| Querida | Beloved, Darling | Spanish |
| Rudo | Love | Shona (Zimbabwe) |
| Yaretzi | You Will Always Be Loved | Aztec / Nahuatl |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a name that means love work for any personality type, or does it feel too soft?
Absolutely — names rooted in love span a huge range of character. Rhys (Welsh) carries fiery passion and athletic strength. Tristan is a bold Celtic warrior name tied to a famous love legend. Freya in Norse mythology was both a goddess of love and a fierce warrior. Caleb and David are strong, resilient Hebrew names whose love meaning points to loyalty and devotion rather than softness. A love-meaning name can be just as bold, fierce, or grounded as any other.
Are there names that mean love in African languages?
Yes — and these are often overlooked by most lists. Rudo means love in Shona, a Bantu language spoken in Zimbabwe. Habiba (Arabic-African) means beloved and is widely used across North and East Africa. Amara is used across West and East Africa with meanings tied to eternal love and grace. Obi from the Igbo language of Nigeria means heart — the symbolic seat of love.
Is it culturally appropriate to use a Japanese or Greek love name if I am not from that background?
This is a personal decision, but generally speaking, many Japanese names have been embraced globally — especially names like Aiko, Ren, and Haru — because they are easy to pronounce and widely recognized. Greek names like Agape and Eros have deep roots in Western philosophy and Christian tradition, making them feel familiar across many cultures. The most respectful approach is to learn the full meaning and cultural context of a name before choosing it — which is exactly what this article is here to help with.
Which names that mean love are also in the US Top 1000?
Several love-meaning names rank consistently in the US Social Security Administration’s top 1000. Mila (Slavic: dear) has been climbing steadily. Esme is in the top 300. Mabel is in the top 200 and growing. Amara has held steady in the top 1000 for over two decades. For boys, Caleb has ranked in the top 50 for three decades, and Philip and David remain consistent classics.
Do any celebrities have names that mean love?
Yes — several well-known names belong here. Dua Lipa’s first name comes from Albanian and Arabic roots meaning love or prayer. Amy Winehouse’s name means beloved in its French root form. Mila Kunis carries a Slavic name meaning gracious and dear. Singer Cher’s name is French for beloved. These are real, mainstream names — which shows that a love-meaning name can be completely natural and widely used without feeling unusual.
Are there names that mean love in lesser-known languages like Icelandic, Kurdish, or Maori?
Ásta means love in Icelandic and is a beautiful, short, and highly unusual choice in English-speaking countries. Evîn means love in Kurdish and has a striking, modern sound. Aroha is a Maori name meaning love and is one of the most used names in New Zealand — musical and genuinely meaningful. Dashuria means love in Albanian. These are excellent choices for parents who want a name that is truly rare but has a verified, clear meaning.
