What baby names mean "love"?

Names That Mean "Love" for Your Little One

Choosing a baby name is one of those deeply personal moments—something that carries meaning, rhythm, and often, a quiet hope. If you're drawn to names that embody warmth, affection, and especially love, there are beautiful options from a variety of cultures and languages that go beyond just sounding sweet—they actually mean "love."

Take Esme, for instance—a name of French origin meaning "beloved" or "esteemed." It's both elegant and tender, gaining quiet popularity in recent years. Then there's Mabel, a vintage charm with English roots, derived from "Amabel," meaning "lovable." It’s the kind of name that feels like a warm hug.

Looking further afield, Cordelia stands out—not just as a Shakespearean heroine, but as a name rooted in the Celtic word for "heart." In Latin, cor means heart, and so Cordelia becomes a poetic symbol of heartfelt affection. Rhys (pronounced "Reese"), though often associated with "enthusiasm" or "fervor" in Welsh, carries an emotional depth that leans into passion and devotion—close kin to love in spirit, if not in direct translation.

From the softer sounds of Mila—Slavic for "gracious" or "dear one"—to the lyrical Amara, which means "eternal love" in several languages including Igbo and Sanskrit, these names resonate with meaning. Amias, with its Latin twist on "beloved," and the timeless Amy, directly from the French aimer meaning "to love," anchor the list with classic warmth.

Ultimately, naming a child is about more than etymology—it's about feeling. But when a name actually means "love," it adds a quiet layer of intention. And maybe, just maybe, that love echoes through a lifetime.