"to hold dear, to treasure"
Origin: Old French (chérir)
Language: English
Cherish
Pronunciation: [ ch-EHR-ihsh ]
Does Cherish flow with your last name?
A sweet word name that says exactly what a parent feels
American
Gentle
Playful
Whimsical
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Cherish
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Cherish
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"beloved, precious"
Origin: Latin (carus)
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Cherish
See all →What the Cherish report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Cherish the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Cherish
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Cherish head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Cherish actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Cherish
Cherish is an English word name derived from Old French 'chérir' (to hold dear), which traces back to Latin 'carus' meaning beloved or precious — the same root as 'charity' and 'Carina.' As a given name, Cherish embodies the sentiment parents feel at a child's birth. It belongs to the American tradition of using abstract virtue and sentiment words as names, alongside Faith, Hope, Grace, and Joy.
Cherish as a given name peaked in the United States in the 1970s-80s, boosted by the 1966 Association song 'Cherish,' the 1971 David Cassidy hit of the same name, and Madonna's 1989 song 'Cherish.' The name carried a buoyant, feel-good quality that fit the optimistic naming trends of that era.
Cherish reflects the American tradition of naming daughters after abstract qualities and sentiments. The name was particularly popular in African-American communities during the 1970s-80s, often alongside names like Crystal, Destiny, and Harmony. Several pop songs named 'Cherish' kept the name in cultural circulation across decades.
Historical Record
Cherish first appeared in US Social Security records in 1966.
Over 11,190 babies have been named Cherish in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cherish is past its peak , currently ranked #1,486 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- At least four different hit songs are titled 'Cherish' — by The Association (1966), David Cassidy (1971), Kool & The Gang (1985), and Madonna (1989)
- The French verb 'chérir' that gave us Cherish shares its Latin root with 'charity' — the love of all mankind
Cherish in Other Languages
Latin
Carere
French
Chérir (to cherish)
Italian
Amare
Spanish
Apreciar/Querer
Popularity Over Time
#1,486
Current Rank
Peaked 2007
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Cherish
C
Cherish Lee
Musician
1987
American country music singer and daughter of Loretta Lynn's daughter Peggy Jean
C
Cherish
Musician
American R&B girl group from Florida active in the mid-2000s, known for 'Do It To It'
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Arizbeth
Girl
"God is my oath, God is abundance"
#1,396
Ciara
Girl
"black, dark"
#1,365
Addyson
Girl
"son of Adam"
#1,339
Danica
Girl
"the bright one"
#1,557
Keila
Girl
"fortified place"
#1,559
Compare Cherish with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,486
- Total SSA Count
- 147
- Cultural Origins
- American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Cheri
Cherry
Rish
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Cherish
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Cherish fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Cherish →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Cherish with...
Same Origin Names (American)
See all American names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Cherish
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Cherish and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Cherish sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Arizbeth
Girl
Hebrew (via Elizabeth) origin
"God is my oath, God is abundance"
#1,396 in US
Ciara
Girl
Old Irish origin
"black, dark"
#1,365 in US
Addyson
Girl
Old English origin
"son of Adam"
#1,339 in US
Danica
Girl
Proto-Slavic origin
"the bright one"
#1,557 in US
Keila
Girl
Hebrew/Biblical origin
"fortified place"
#1,559 in US
Kaelyn
Girl
Irish Gaelic (Caoimhe) origin
"gentle, beautiful"
#1,637 in US
Britney
Girl
French/Latin origin
"from Brittany, land of Britons"
#1,335 in US
Kollins
Girl
Irish Gaelic Coileán origin
"young one, puppy (young animal)"
#1,373 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Cherish's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cherish
What does the name Cherish mean?
"to hold dear, to treasure" (from Old French (chérir)). "beloved, precious" (from Latin (carus)). Cherish is an English word name derived from Old French 'chérir' (to hold dear), which traces back to Latin 'carus' meaning beloved or precious — the same root as 'charity' and 'Carina.' As a given name, Cherish embodies the sentiment parents feel at a child's birth. It belongs to the American tradition of using abstract virtue and sentiment words as names, alongside Faith, Hope, Grace, and Joy.
What is the origin of the name Cherish?
Cherish has Old French (chérir), Latin (carus), and American origins. In Old French (chérir), it means "to hold dear, to treasure". In Latin (carus), it means "beloved, precious".
Is Cherish a boy or girl name?
Cherish is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Cherish?
Cherish is pronounced ch-EHR-ihsh.
How popular is the name Cherish?
Cherish is currently ranked #1486 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cherish?
Common nicknames for Cherish include Cheri, Cherry, and Rish.
What are good middle names for Cherish?
Popular middle name pairings include Cherish Ann, Cherish Marie, Cherish Lynn, Cherish Rose, Cherish Hope, Cherish Joy, and Cherish Renee.
What are good sibling names for Cherish?
Names that pair well with Cherish as siblings include Destiny, Crystal, Harmony, Journey, Heaven, Faith, and Grace.
How many syllables does Cherish have?
Cherish has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Cherish a common or rare name?
Cherish is an uncommon name, ranked #1486 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Cherish?
About the Name Cherish
Cherish is a girl name with American origins . The name means "to hold dear, to treasure" in Old French (chérir) .
Cherish is currently ranked #1,486 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Cherish has 2 syllables and is pronounced ch-EHR-ihsh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Cherish include Cheri, Cherry, and Rish. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Cherish include Cheryl, Cherry . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Old French (chérir) Names
Browse all names with this origin
C
Names Starting with C
More girl names like Cherish
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis