Cove

♀ Girl

Pronounced KOHV /koʊv/High

Meaning: a small sheltered bay or inletHigh

In 30 seconds: Cove is a crisp Old English nature name meaning a small sheltered bay. A modern one-syllable choice evoking peaceful coastal beauty, growing in use for girls.

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Origin HighOld English

Meaninga small sheltered bay or inlet

U.S. rank (2024)#2279 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births81 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 372

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Cove derives from the Old English cofa, meaning a sheltered chamber, which evolved to describe a small sheltered coastal bay. It belongs to the tradition of nature-as-given-name that includes Brook, River, and Bay.

Cove began appearing as a given name in the early 21st century, part of the nature name movement that favors coastal and water-related words. Its one-syllable crispness and serene imagery make it appealing for modern parents.

Did you know? In Old English, cofa originally meant a room or chamber before shifting to mean a small coastal bay — showing how geographical features were once described by their sheltered, enclosed quality, like a room open to the sea.

Overall data confidence 85%

Oxford English Dictionary: cove — reference for CoveUS Social Security Name Database — U.S. popularity data

Variations

CovaCovie

Nicknames

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If you like Cove…

Bay— one-syllable coastal nature name of same style

Brook— one-syllable water nature name for girls

Lake— one-syllable water nature name with similar serenity

River— nature name evoking flowing water

Reef— one-syllable coastal nature name of similar character

Frequently Asked

What does Cove mean?

Cove means a small sheltered bay or inlet, from the Old English cofa.

How do you pronounce Cove?

Cove is pronounced KOHV (/koʊv/), with one syllable.

Is Cove a girl's name?

Cove is a modern nature name used for girls, though it has no strong gender tradition.

How popular is the name Cove?

Cove is a rare modern name growing among parents who love coastal nature names.