Love

♀ Girl

Pronounced LUV /lʌv/High

Meaning: From the Old English lufu meaning love, affection, or deep devotion, used as a given name expressing the highest human virtue and emotionHigh

In 30 seconds: Love is a pure, bold word name meaning exactly what it says. A Scandinavian name as well as an English word, it is gaining attention for its simplicity and the universal warmth of its meaning.

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Origin HighEnglish

MeaningFrom the Old English lufu meaning love, affection, or deep devotion, used as a given name expressing the highest human virtue and emotion

U.S. rank (2025)#957 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births269 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,796

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

As an English word-name, Love has been used occasionally since at least the 19th century. In Scandinavia, Love is a masculine name derived from Ludvig, making its coincidence with the English word entirely accidental.

In recent decades, Love has been chosen by some celebrities and avant-garde parents as a girl's name in English-speaking countries. Its simplicity and the universality of its meaning give it a timeless, minimalist appeal.

Did you know? Love is a traditional Scandinavian name, especially in Sweden and Norway, where it is a masculine name derived from the Old Norse name Ludvig. This makes Love a rare case of a word that functions as a given name in two completely unrelated traditions.

Overall data confidence 95%

Oxford English Dictionary — love — Old English etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

LuvLovey

Nicknames

LovieLo

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Love…

Grace— shares the one-syllable virtue word-name tradition

Hope— same bright, positive word-name with a one-syllable minimalist feel

Joy— same joyful word-name category with maximum emotional directness

Faith— shares the abstract virtue word-name category and brief simplicity

Frequently Asked

What does the name Love mean?

Love means exactly what the word says — deep affection and devotion. It comes from Old English lufu and carries the most universal of human emotions.

How do you pronounce Love?

It is said LUV, as a single syllable, identical to the word love.

Is Love a Scandinavian name?

Yes, Love is also a traditional Scandinavian masculine name derived from Ludvig, though in English it is used as a word name meaning affection.

Is Love a boy or girl name?

In Scandinavia, Love is traditionally a boys name. In English-speaking countries it is used as a girls name.