Mamas Uncut

50 Charming Girl Names That Mean Love

Andrew Kreeger

Are you looking for names for girls with the most winning meanings? There are many girl names that mean love which is the ultimate meaning in our book. These appellations can be found in every naming tradition from around the world. Humans have, for centuries, sought names for their daughters that express the monumental emotion of love that parents have for their children. If you’re not sure where to start on your baby name journey, a great place is to look at names that have a desirable meaning. Love happens to be one of the very best.

We’ve curated a list of the best girl names that mean love that range from familiar to exotic. We want to present you with a good mix of popular as well as more obscure choices. That way you have a variety of options to find the most compelling name that will work for your daughter and be a good fit for your growing family. Take a look at our inspired finds below to create your own shortlist of girl names that mean love. Happy baby name hunting!

Discover the Most Soulful Girl Names That Mean Love Below:

Agapi

Agapi is a name of Greek origin that means “love” and “affection.” Despite the name being well-used in Greece today, you rarely encounter this name in the US. The name is used often and found in Greek pop culture:

Ahava

Ahava is an endearing Hebrew name for girls that also comes in the following forms: Ahavah, Ahaba, Ahabah, Ahuva, and Ahuvah. The name is referenced in the bible as a small river on whose banks Ezra assembled the Jews to prepare them spiritually for their journey out of Babylonian captivity. This name means “love.”

Aiko

Aiko is a unisex Japanese name that’s popular there today for both boys and girls. The appellation means “beloved child.” There are many famous folks with this name today. They include:

Amada

Amada is the feminine form of the Spanish name, Amado. It means “loved.” Amada is a unique name that’s becoming more famous thanks to Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes, who named their second daughter Amada Lee and their first Esmeralda Amada. We love the rhythmic quality of this understated name.

Amanda

Amanda might seem like a name that became trendy in the last century but the name was used throughout Europe for hundreds of years before it became popular in the US. Amanda is of Latin origin and means “she must be loved. It’s one of the most popular girl names that mean love. There are many, many famous people with the name, including:

Amata

Amata is a darling name of Italian and Latin origin, from the name Amatus, meaning “beloved.” Despite its simple sound and accessibility, this name has never been a popular choice in the US. It’s one of the girl names that mean love that we want to hear more of. Famous Amatas include:

Amora

Amora is a name of Spanish origin for girls that’s become popular in the US in the last several years. It’s now a top-500 name. This Latinate name means “love.” Fun fact: amora is a Portuguese word for “blackberry.”

Aroha

Aroha is a treasure of a name of Maori origin, it means “love.” If you’re looking for exotic girl names that mean love, this could be the right choice for you. Famous Arohas in the world include:

Avila

Avila is a German name for girls that means “desired,” “wished for,” or “water island.” The name is the precursor to the more popular name today, Evelyn. Probably the most famous Avila, St. Teresa of Avila (the name of the Spanish town of her origin).

Aziza

Aziza is a name found in a number of naming traditions including Swahili, Hebrew, and Arabic. It’s one of the zippiest girl names that mean love thanks to the double-Z. The name means “powerful and beloved.” Famous people with this charming name include:

Cariad

Do you have Welsh heritage? If so, Cariad would be one of the best girl names that mean love for you to consider. The name is closely associated with the Welsh folk song “Cariad Cywir.” The name means “love.” It’s never been a popular choice in the US but it is one of the easiest Welsh names for English speakers to pronounce.

Carina

Carina is one of the girl names that mean love in Italian. The name was once popular in the US from the 1970s to the 2000s but has since fallen from fashion. To be more precise, this name translates as “dear little one.” Folks with the name Carina include:

Carita

Carita is a name that originated in Latin but you will find it most popular today for girls born in Scandinavia. This delicate name means “beloved.” A famous person with the name today is Carita Elisabeth Holmström who is a Finnish singer, songwriter, and pianist.

Carwen

Carwen is the feminine version of the Welsh name Carwyn, meaning “blessed love.” It’s another one of the Welsh girl names that mean love. Carwen has yet to take off for girls born in the US but we feel it has tons of potential.

Carys

Pronounced CA-riss, this is another Welsh name that means “love.” The name is very popular across the UK, even outside of its native Wales. Famous folks with this name include:

Cher

The superstar Cher has kept parents from flocking to this name of French origin that means “beloved.” We think she’s a great excuse to choose this name! She’s not the only famous individual with the name. Other notable Chers include:

Cordelia

Cordelia is one of the girl names that mean love with a bit more specific meaning in “heart” and “daughter of the sea.” The name originated in Latin as well as Celtic traditions. Cordelia is not nearly as popular today as it was a few decades ago in the US but we still view it as a contender. Famous people with the name include:

Desiree

Desiree is another one of the French girl names that mean love. The name means “desired,” to be exact. The name ranked in the top-1000 from 1957 to 2017 in the US but has since fallen from favor. Famous Desirees include:

Dua

Dua is one of those names made famous by a single celebrity, British-Albanian model and singer Dua Lipa. The name is found in both Albanian and Arabic traditions as one of the girl names that mean love or “prayer.” It’s only a matter of time before this modern-sounding name takes off more broadly.

Elska

Elska is one of our favorite girl names that mean love. It originated in Old Norse and is still widely used across the Nordic countries and Scandinavia.

Eowyn

Eowyn is a name made popular by The Lord of the Rings, but the name is ancient, originating in Old English and meaning “horse lover.” Novelist Eowyn Ivey is one famous American example with the name. It’s uncommon in the US but we want that to change.

Esme

Esme is one of the girl names that mean love that’s on the rise in the US today. It is of French and Persian origin and it was long popular in France before it crossed the pond. There are very many remarkable people with the name, they include:

Habiba

Habiba is one of the girl names that mean love that’s popular in Somalia and North Africa among Muslim families. The exact translation of the name is “beloved” or “sweetheart.” Unfortunately, the appellation is not popular in the US but there are plenty of international examples of people with the name:

Halia

One of the girl names that mean love which has the most poetic meaning comes from Hawaii. Halia means “remembrance of a loved one.” Isn’t that amazing? The name is widely used in Hawaii but it is most rare elsewhere. Bring Halia to the Lower 48.

Haviva

Haviva is a name of Hebrew origin that means “well-loved.” The more common form of the name is spelled Aviva but if you’re looking for one of the girl names that mean love starting with H, it could be the way to go.

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Idony

Pronounced ID-uh-nee, Idony is another one of the Norse girl names that mean love. To be exact, the appellation means “love again” and “renewal.” Idony is the mythic Norse goddess of spring and eternal youth making this name one to really fall in love with.

Ife

Ife is a simple yet beautiful name of Yoruba-West African origin. The name has gone virtually unused in the US despite it being one of the most straightforward girl names that mean love.

Janan

Janan is a name of Arabic origin that’s used for both girls and boys. The emphasis is on the second syllable for this appellation which means “heart” and “soul.” This name has never been popular in the US but we hope that changes in the coming years.

Kalila

Kalila is another one of the girl names that mean love in Arabic. If you’re looking for alternatives to names like Lola and Lila, this could be the right choice for you. Kalila is one of the girl names on this list that’s the most fun to say.

Karita

Karita is the Icelandic form of the name Carita which we shared with you earlier. Both names mean “beloved.” Further, both names are popular across Scandinavia.

Kerensa

Kerensa is one of the few Cornish girl names that mean love. Kerensa is a name used by novelist Victoria Holt in the Cornish-set The Legend of the Seventh Virgin. You will also find this name spelled Kerenza which has added zip.

Lennon

Lennon is a unisex option of Irish and English origin that means “lover.” This name has enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity over the past several years, especially for baby girls. It’s one of the hottest girl names that mean love in America today. Famous examples include:

Luba

Luba is one of the girl names that mean love found in Russian, Slavic, and Yiddish. All meanings translate to “love” for this multi-cultural appellation. Famous Lubas:

Ludmila

We’re not sure if the Slavic name Ludmila translates for a baby born in the US today but it is one option that means “beloved of the people.” Ludmila names a tenth-century saint who had been a princess from Bohemia. Thus, Ludmila is widely used in Russia, Ukraine, and Bulgaria. Famous Ludmilas include:

Mabel

Mabel is one of our favorite vintage girl names that mean love. It is a shortened form of Amabel, from Latin, meaning “lovable.” The name is on a slow climb once more in the US as more parents are returning to this absolute gem of a name. Famous folks named Mabel:

Mabli

Want a sweeter form of Mabel? The Welsh use Mabli which has a touch more romance. It’s one of the girl names that mean love that’s making a comeback in Wales today after falling from fashion for decades. We’re happy to see this one return.

Maite

Pronounced MY-teh, Maite is a name of Basque origin. Despite this name’s mighty sound, it means “beloved.” It’s one of the girl names that mean love that is virtually unused in the US.

Milada

Milada is an enchanting name of Czech origin that means “my love.” Despite it being unknown to most English speakers the name is a huge hit in its native country. Famous people with the name include:

Milena

Another one of the Czech girl names that mean love, Milan additionally can mean “warmth” and “grace.” The name is fairly uncommon in the US but it is the given name for Mila Kunis. It’s a huge hit among Slavic languages. Famous Milenas include:

Nayeli

A name rarely heard outside the Latino community, Nayeli originated in Zapotec, a language from indigenous Mexico. Nayeli has been a popular choice in the US since the 1990s. We absolutely love it. Famous people with the name include:

Nemy

Pronounced NEE-mee, Nemy is a name of Mende origin that’s found in West Africa. It’s one of the girl names that mean love that sounds equally as sweet. In fact, it means “sweet.”

Philomena

Philomena has been an old standard in the UK for decades. It was last popular in the US in the 1940s. It has since fallen from fashion and is considered an “old lady name.” We still have a fondness for this name which means “lover of strength.” Famous people with the name include:

Philothea

One of the rarest girl names that mean love comes from Greek and will likely be attractive to parents of faith. Philothea means “lover of God.” There are two possible pronunciations for this name: fil-oh-THEE-ah or fil-oh-THAY-ah.

Pippa

Pippa is an English diminutive form of Phillipa, a name of Greek origin, meaning “lover of horses.” Pippa has a youthful, energetic vibe that’s much more current than Phillipa. Pippa is much more commonly given in other English-speaking countries than in the US. Famous Pippas:

Priya

One of the very best girl names that mean love comes from Sanskrit. Priya means “beloved,” to be exact and it is widely used in India today. There, Priya is traditionally given to girls born in August. Famous people named Priya include:

Querida

Querida is a rare Spanish name that means “beloved.” It’s a bit of a mouthful but not a dealbreaker.

Shirn

Shirin is one of the girl names that mean love that’s love-adjacent. This Persian name means “charming” and “sweet.” The name is considered a unisex choice but we favor it for girls. Famous Shirins:

Suki

One of the best and most accessible Japanese girl names that mean love is Suki. The name more specifically means “loved one.” Notable people with the name include:

Vashti

Vashti is a Persian name that means “lovely” and it is mentioned in the Bible. Vashti was once a mildly popular option in the US but fell completely out of fashion by 1907. We think this treasure should return. Famous people with the name:

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Yaretzi

Yaretzi has been a popular choice in the US since 2006. This name comes from Nahuatl and Aztec traditions as an appellation meaning “you will always be loved.” It’s one of the girl names that mean love with the most arresting sentiment behind it. This name is also popular in Mexico today and we hope it continues to see favor.

There you go! What did you think of these girl names that mean love? We hope you found some handsome options with the most meaningful sentiments behind them. As you’ve seen girl names that mean love come from all around the world and as different as they might be, they are all about the thing that binds us all together, love. Happy baby name hunting!