When it comes time to pick a baby name, most of us want that name to have a special meaning. And what better meaning to have than "love?" We adore our children and always will, and the hope is that if we raise them well, they will remain kind, thoughtful, and loving throughout their lives. No matter the motivation, a name that means "love" is apropros.
Having a daily reminder of the importance and power of love is undoubtedly a positive thing, and having that reminder be what your sweet baby is called is even more special. Plus, names based on words that mean "love" in various languages usually sound beautiful and interesting. So whether you're expecting a boy or a girl, we've compiled a list of gorgeous baby names that mean "love," and one might just turn out to be the perfect name for your baby.
Esme
Connelly
We've all heard the name Connelly before. It's a really handsome-sounding name for a boy, but we bet you didn't know that it means "love." It comes from Ireland where it is most typically seen as a last name.
Amias
Not only is Amias quite a unique name — which makes it a fun option for a lot of parents — but in Latin it means "loved." We like how it sounds like it goes back a long time, without actually being a traditional name at all.
Lennon
Lennon is an awesome unisex baby name, especially for fans of The Beatles (for obvious reasons). It originally comes from Ireland, where it means "lover." So no matter what your kid turns out to be a lover of, it fits.
David
If you and your partner prefer traditional names, David is perfect for a little boy. It's a classic, strong, well-known name that actually means "beloved" in the Hebrew language. If you wanna get creative, you could also use it for a girl.
Milena
The name Milena is quite beautiful, and while it doesn't sound like it has anything to do with love, one of several meanings associated with it is "beloved." It has roots in the Czech Republic and other Slavic countries, as well as in Italy.
Liba
Although people of Jewish descent may be familiar with the name Liba, it's quite a unique choice for many people. Typically a name for girls, it sounds lovely and actually means "love" in Yiddish and in German. So sweet!
Amadeus
Amadeus sounds like a truly powerful name for a boy to have. It means "lover of God" in Latin and it was Mozart's middle name, later becoming the title of the play turned movie Amadeus.
Suki
The name Suki is so pretty for a baby girl. It's simple but interesting-sounding, and in the Japanese language, it means "beloved." What child wouldn't be happy to find out that that's what their name means?
Carwyn
Carwyn is a rather unique name choice for a baby boy. Its origins are in Wales, and it is said to mean "blessed love." How beautiful is that? It's fairly common in Wales, but would definitely stand out in the U.S., where we don't hear it often at all.
Sajan
The name Sajan comes from the Hindi language and means "one who is loved." It's a beautiful, powerful, and super-meaningful choice for a baby name. It's traditionally considered a name for boys.
Cara
Cara is such a pretty name for a baby girl. We love that it's short and sweet but still quite beautiful to say. It comes from Latin, in which it means "beloved," but also has strong Irish and Italian roots.
Aziz
The male name Aziz just sounds cool, doesn't it? It actually comes from the Arabic word azza, which means "beloved," but it has some Hebrew roots as well. It's very popular in certain cultures.
Dariel
Although it's most often used as a boy name, Dariel would also make a beautiful name for a baby girl, for parents looking for gender-neutral name ideas. It means "beloved," and it's believed that it may be a variation of the English names Darrel or Daryl.
Cerys
Cerys is a truly beautiful baby girl name that means "love." It is derived from the Welsh word caru, just like the boys' name Carwyn. It's fairly popular in the U.K., but not at all common in the U.S., so it's a good choice if you don't want your child to have a popular moniker.
Amy
Amy is such a classic baby girl name that most of us have probably never thought about what it actually means. Well, it has French and Middle English origins, and it means "to love," which is pretty much the sweetest thing.
Milos
The name Milos is a supercute variation of the popular name Milo, for a baby boy. It has Greek and Czech origins and means "lover of glory." Talk about a strong name, and definitely a good choice for parents looking for something a bit different.
Nayeli
Name your baby girl Nayeli and she will always know exactly how you feel about her. The name comes from the Zapotec Indigenous people of Mexico and literally means "I love you." That's the best sentiment you could ever choose for your child to carry forever.
Kalila
Kalila is simply a beautiful-sounding name, and should be in contention just for that, but it's meaning really makes it special. It comes from the Arabic language and means "dearly loved," just like your baby girl will be.
Eros
Eros is a name that sounds like it could have belonged to a fierce warrior in ancient times, so it may come as a surprise that it means "love" or "to love." In Greek mythology, Eros was the son of Aphrodite, who was, of course, the goddess of love.