Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Love
GirlEnglish· “love”
- Meaning
- love
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- LUHV
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #957
- US babies 2025
- 269
- Best rank
- #732 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Love
Love is an English name that means “love”.
Love is an English word name, from Old English lufu, expressing the deepest human affection. As a given name, it belongs to the tradition of virtue names such as Hope, Faith and Grace, and it has been used occasionally since the Puritan era. It has also long existed as an English surname. Love is a bold, heartfelt choice that expresses a simple and universal value. It is short, just one syllable, and easy to spell. Love suits parents who want a name with a clear, positive meaning. It pairs well with longer, traditional middle names.
Popularity over time
Love has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 10 different years. Its best national rank was #732 in 2023, and the most babies received it in 2022, when 386 were named Love. In 2025, 269 babies were named Love, and it ranked #957 nationally. That is 138% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #2,421 in 1920, #3,837 in 1950, #4,432 in 1980, #2,658 in 2000, #2,181 in 2010, and #957 in 2025. Of the 4,797 US girls named Love since records began, 39% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 1,149 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Brynleigh, Waverly, Inaya, Aila, and Bexley.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Love ranked highest in Nevada, Ohio, and Indiana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | #569 | 5 |
| Ohio | #660 | 15 |
| Indiana | #695 | 9 |
| Arizona | #725 | 9 |
| North Carolina | #755 | 13 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 93% of US babies named Love over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Love is usually pronounced LUHV, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with L and ends in “-ve”.
Middle names for Love
A few middle names that flow with Love: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Love
Similar names
Faith Girl
FAYTH
“faith, trust” · English
#254
Hope Girl
HOHP
“hope” · English
#352
Tru Unisex
TROO
“true, faithful” · English
#591
Grace Girl
GRAYS
“grace” · English
#38
Olive Girl
AH-lihv
“olive tree” · English
#197
Joy Girl
JOY
“joy, happiness” · English
#419
Eve Girl
EEV
“life” · Hebrew
#519
Serenity Girl
suh-REH-nih-tee
“calm, tranquility” · English
#129
Paige Girl
PAYJ
“young servant, page” · English
#346
Gracie Girl
GRAY-see
“grace” · English
#227
Sage Unisex
SAYJ
“wise; the herb” · Latin
#160
Kate Girl
KAYT
“often said to mean 'pure'” · English
#522
Lists that include Love
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Love mean?
Love is an English name that means “love”.
What is the origin of the name Love?
Love has English roots. Love is an English word name, from Old English lufu, expressing the deepest human affection.
Is Love a popular name?
Yes. Love ranked #957 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Love a boy or girl name?
Love is mainly a girl's name. About 93% of US babies named Love over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Love?
Love is usually pronounced LUHV. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings