"deep affection, devotion"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Love
Pronunciation: [ l-UHV ]
Does Love flow with your last name?
The most powerful word, worn as a name
English
American
Scandinavian
Bold
Spiritual
Whimsical
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Love
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Love
See all →What the Love report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Love 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 Love
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Love head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Love
Love comes from the Old English 'lufu,' from Proto-Germanic 'lubo,' related to Sanskrit 'lubhyati' (desires strongly). As a name, Love has been used in English since at least the Middle Ages. Interestingly, in Scandinavian countries, particularly Sweden, Love (pronounced LOO-veh) is a traditional masculine name derived from Old Norse. In English-speaking cultures, it's a bold word-name that speaks for itself.
Love gained traction in the 2010s-2020s as part of the word-name trend (Joy, Hope, True, Brave). Celebrity usage and the Netflix series 'You,' featuring a character named Love Quinn, have kept the name in cultural consciousness.
In Sweden, Love (pronounced LOO-veh) has been a traditional boys' name for centuries, deriving from Old Norse. In English, it joins a tradition of virtue and word names with spiritual weight. Plato's Symposium, one of Western philosophy's most celebrated works, is entirely devoted to exploring the nature of love.
Historical Record
Love first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 3,978 babies have been named Love in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Love is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #846 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- In Sweden, Love (LOO-veh) has been a traditional boys' name since the Middle Ages
- Love Quinn is a pivotal character in the Netflix psychological thriller 'You,' played by Victoria Pedretti
- In Japanese, the character (Ai) means love and is a popular given name for girls
Love in Other Languages
French
Amour
German
Liebe
Italian
Amore
Spanish
Amor
Swedish
Love
Popularity Over Time
#846
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Love
C
Courtney Love
Musician
1964
American singer-songwriter and actress, frontwoman of the rock band Hole, known for her raw energy and cultural impact
L
Love Quinn Fictional
Other
Complex character in the Netflix psychological thriller 'You,' played by Victoria Pedretti, a brilliant but dangerous wo...
Complex character in the Netflix psychological thriller 'You,' played by Victoria Pedretti, a brilliant but dangerous woman
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #846
- Total SSA Count
- 319
- Cultural Origins
- English American Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Love
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Love fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Love is also used as a boy name, ranked #4264.
View Love as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Love →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 Love with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Love
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Love and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Love 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 →
Flora
Girl
Roman mythology origin
"goddess of flowers and spring"
#647 in US
Stormi
Girl
Old English origin
"tempest, stormy weather"
#789 in US
Sarahi
Girl
Hebrew origin
"princess, noblewoman"
#938 in US
Zaniyah
Girl
Arabic origin
"beautiful, rare and precious"
#843 in US
Aila
Girl
Arabic origin
"moonlight, halo of light"
#793 in US
Jayleen
Girl
American English origin
"jaybird; modern melodic invention"
#978 in US
Janiyah
Girl
Arabic origin
"gift, grace"
#887 in US
Lyanna
Girl
French origin
"graceful vine"
#958 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Love's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Love
What does the name Love mean?
"deep affection, devotion" (from Old English). Love comes from the Old English 'lufu,' from Proto-Germanic 'lubo,' related to Sanskrit 'lubhyati' (desires strongly). As a name, Love has been used in English since at least the Middle Ages. Interestingly, in Scandinavian countries, particularly Sweden, Love (pronounced LOO-veh) is a traditional masculine name derived from Old Norse. In English-speaking cultures, it's a bold word-name that speaks for itself.
What is the origin of the name Love?
Love has Old English, English, American, and Scandinavian origins. In Old English, it means "deep affection, devotion".
Is Love a boy or girl name?
Love is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #846. As a boy name, it is ranked #4264. Love is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Love?
Love is pronounced l-UHV.
How popular is the name Love?
Love is currently ranked #846 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Love?
Popular middle name pairings include Love Grace, Love Anne, Love Marie, Love Elise, Love Alexandra, and Love Sophia.
What are good sibling names for Love?
Names that pair well with Love as siblings include Hope, Joy, Faith, Sage, River, True, and Bliss.
How many syllables does Love have?
Love has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Love a common or rare name?
Love is moderately common, ranked #846 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Love?
About the Name Love
Love is a girl name with English, American, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "deep affection, devotion" in Old English .
Is Love a boy or girl name? Love is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #846 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #4,264. Love is more commonly used as a girl name.
Love is currently ranked #846 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Love has 1 syllable and is pronounced l-UHV, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Love include Lovely, Lovelyn, Lovella, Lovelynn, Lovina . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Old English Names
Browse all names with this origin
L
Names Starting with L
More girl names like Love
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
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