Girl Names That Mean Love

Love names are found in almost every language, and many come from the Latin verb amare, to love. Amanda means worthy of love and was used by English writers before it became a common first name. Amor, Amore, Amora and Amoura are built from the same Latin root, giving you a range from direct to softer and more flowing. Aimee comes from the French word for beloved, and Venus was the Roman goddess of love.

Other traditions contribute their own words. Carys comes from the Welsh word for love and has a gentle, familiar sound in English. Neha is a Sanskrit name meaning love or affection, and Nayeli is often described as a Zapotec expression of love from southern Mexico. Philomena comes from a Greek root for loving, and Charity is one of the virtue names Puritan families favored, from the Latin word for love and care. Jadore is borrowed from the French phrase for I adore.

English word names such as Love and Lovely make the meaning plain, while Amanda and Carys keep it in the background. When you choose, think about how the name will sound on an adult as well as a baby. Established names like Amanda, Philomena and Carys wear easily across a lifetime, while Amore and Jadore feel more playful.