What are the 7 names of love?

The Seven Faces of Love According to the Ancient Greeks

Long before modern psychology, the ancient Greeks offered a rich, nuanced understanding of love—not as a single feeling, but as a spectrum of emotional experiences. They identified seven distinct types of love, each representing a different bond, intention, or connection between people.

Eros is passionate, romantic love—the kind that ignites desire and attraction. While often idealized today, the Greeks saw it as powerful but potentially dangerous if unbalanced. In contrast, Storge is the quiet, steady love of family—the natural affection between parents and children, or among siblings.

Philia represents deep friendship, the loyalty shared between comrades who’ve faced life’s challenges together. It’s the love born of trust and shared values, not romance. Then there’s Ludus, the playful, flirtatious side of affection—joyful and carefree, often present in the early stages of relationships.

Pragma is the love of commitment. It’s the understanding, compromise, and patience that sustain long-term partnerships. Unlike Eros, it’s not about sparks, but about enduring care built over time. Agape rises above personal ties—it’s selfless, universal love, extended even to strangers. Think of compassion without expectation.

And finally, Philautia—self-love. The Greeks believed that without a healthy relationship with oneself, genuine love for others is nearly impossible. It’s not vanity, but the foundation of emotional balance.

Understanding these seven forms helps us see love not as a single destination, but as a journey with many paths. Whether in romance, friendship, family, or solitude, each type holds its own beauty and purpose.