"deep affection, devotion"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Love
Pronunciation: [ l-UHV ]
Girl Name
#846 Most Popular
Rising
1 Syllable
The most powerful word, worn as a name
English
American
Scandinavian
Bold
Spiritual
Whimsical
Unique
Meaning & Origin
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.
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
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
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
Pairs Well With
Love Grace
Love Anne
Love Marie
Love Elise
Love Alexandra
Love Sophia
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Love is also used as a boy name, ranked #4264.
View Love as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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.
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.