"deep affection, tender devotion"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Love
Pronunciation: [ l-UHV ]
Does Love flow with your last name?
The boldest name a parent can give — pure and simple
American
African-American
Swedish
Bold
Unique
Gentle
Modern
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Love
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Love
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"from Ludwig/Louis (via Swedish)"
Origin: Old Norse
Language: Swedish
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 →
Nickname ideas
See what Love 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
Things to Know About This Name
- May invite teasing due to the word name's direct emotional connotation
The Story of Love
Love as a given name comes directly from the Old English 'lufu' (affection, devotion), derived from the Proto-Germanic 'lubō.' It was used as a given name in medieval England and has never entirely disappeared. In Sweden, 'Love' (pronounced LOO-veh) is a traditional masculine name derived from the Old Norse 'Lóðvér' (a form of Ludwig/Louis), making it a genuine given name with deep Scandinavian roots entirely unconnected to the English word.
Love as a baby name has seen quiet but consistent use, appearing in various communities where word names carry spiritual or aspirational meaning. In Sweden, it remains in active use as a boy's name. In the US, it primarily appears in African-American communities and among parents drawn to virtue names and names with powerful positive meanings.
Naming a son Love is one of the most direct aspirational statements possible — a parent's blessing that their child will embody and be surrounded by love. In the tradition of virtue names (Hope, Faith, Joy, Grace), Love carries unique power as the most fundamental of all human virtues across virtually every culture and religion.
Historical Record
Love first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 455 babies have been named Love in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Love is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #4,264 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- In Sweden, Love (pronounced LOO-veh) is a traditional boy's name with Old Norse roots — completely separate from the English word
- Love has been used as a given name in England since medieval times
- The Old English word 'lufu' is related to the Latin 'lubet/libet' (it pleases) and the Sanskrit 'lubhyati' (he desires)
Love in Other Languages
French
Amour
Spanish
Amor
Swedish
Love (LOO-veh)
Old Norse
Lóðvér
Old English
Lufu
Popularity Over Time
#4,264
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #4,264
- Total SSA Count
- 25
- Cultural Origins
- American African-American Swedish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Lovey
Lo
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, American 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, American 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
Middle Names
Middle Names for Love
7 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 Girl Name
Love is also used as a girl name, ranked #846.
View Love as a girl 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 (American)
See all American 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 →
Layken
Boy
American English origin
"from the lake"
#4,289 in US
Kamiri
Boy
East African (geographic reference) origin
"place of meeting"
#4,464 in US
Becker
Boy
Middle High German origin
"baker, bread maker"
#4,433 in US
Lucious
Boy
Classical Latin origin
"born at daylight"
#4,142 in US
Joon
Boy
Chinese/Korean origin
"noble, virtuous"
#4,148 in US
Shaw
Boy
Old English origin
"thicket, small wood"
#4,307 in US
Jim
Boy
Hebrew origin
"supplanter, one who grabs the heel"
#4,434 in US
Zaylon
Boy
American English origin
"modern invented name"
#4,079 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, tender devotion" (from Old English). "from Ludwig/Louis (via Swedish)" (from Old Norse). Love as a given name comes directly from the Old English 'lufu' (affection, devotion), derived from the Proto-Germanic 'lubō.' It was used as a given name in medieval England and has never entirely disappeared. In Sweden, 'Love' (pronounced LOO-veh) is a traditional masculine name derived from the Old Norse 'Lóðvér' (a form of Ludwig/Louis), making it a genuine given name with deep Scandinavian roots entirely unconnected to the English word.
What is the origin of the name Love?
Love has Old English, Old Norse, American, African-American, and Swedish origins. In Old English, it means "deep affection, tender devotion". In Old Norse, it means "from Ludwig/Louis (via Swedish)".
Is Love a boy or girl name?
Love is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4264. As a girl name, it is ranked #846. 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 #4264 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Love?
Common nicknames for Love include Lovey.
What are good middle names for Love?
Popular middle name pairings include Love Alexander, Love James, Love Michael, Love Emmanuel, Love Isaiah, Love Elijah, and Love Theodore.
What are good sibling names for Love?
Names that pair well with Love as siblings include Hope, Joy, Peace, Chance, Destiny, Harmony, Faith, and King.
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 an uncommon name, ranked #4264 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Love?
Are there other spellings for Love?
Related spellings include Lovell.
About the Name Love
Love is a boy name with American, African-American, and Swedish origins . The name means "deep affection, tender devotion" in Old English .
Is Love a boy or girl name? Love is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,264 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #846. Love is more commonly used as a girl name.
Love is currently ranked #4,264 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Love has 1 syllable and is pronounced l-UHV, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Love include Lovey and Lo. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Love include Lovell . 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 boy names like Love
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 Boy 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