English Boy Names That Mean Love
English boy names that mean love often trace back to one Hebrew root, beloved, carried through David's many descendants and echoed in a few rare Latin survivors.
Names83
OriginEnglish
MeaningLove
GenderBoy
Look closely at this list and one name keeps resurfacing under different clothes: David. In Hebrew, David simply means beloved, and English has spent centuries reshaping that root into the surname-turned-first-name Dawson (son of David), the equally patronymic Davis, the plainspoken Dave, and the softer Davin.
A smaller thread runs on a Latin root instead of Hebrew: Amias and its rare variant Amais both carry amare, love, inside an Elizabethan-English name that nearly disappeared and is only now being quietly rediscovered by parents who want the meaning without the common spelling.
The Hebrew root behind English boy names that mean love
Most of the love on this list isn't invention, it's translation. Hebrew gave English beloved twice: once through David, and once through Jedidiah, whose short form Jed quietly means beloved of Yahweh. English then did what it does best, turning that inherited meaning into surnames like Dawson and clipping it into everyday nicknames like Dave.
When the warmth is in the nickname, not the root
Not every warm name here earns its glow from etymology. Sonny is a word-name, literally son, that became an affectionate nickname in its own right, full of old-school charm. Johnny is the beloved, easygoing pet form of John (which actually means God is gracious), proof a name can feel like love in daily use even when its root points elsewhere.
Names List
Dawson#143 in the U.S.Son of Daw — Daw being a medieval short form of David, from Hebrew Dawid meaning 'beloved'Pronounced DAW-son▶Sonny#298 in the U.S.Son; a loving affectionate address for a boy or young manPronounced SUN-ee▶Johnny#458 in the U.S.Pet form of John, from Hebrew 'Yochanan' meaning 'Yahweh is gracious' or 'God is gracious'; used as an afPronounced JON-ee▶Amias#642 in the U.S.Possibly a variant of Amatus, from Latin amatus meaning beloved or loved; alternatively linked to the namPronounced AY-mee-us▶Davis#668 in the U.S.Welsh and English patronymic surname meaning son of David, from the Hebrew name David meaning beloved; usPronounced DAY-vis▶Darrell#1465 in the U.S.From Airelle, Normandy; darlingPronounced DAIR-ul▶Jed#1985 in the U.S.Beloved of Yahweh Pronounced JEHD▶Dave#2012 in the U.S.BelovedPronounced DEHIHV▶Davin#2793 in the U.S.BelovedPronounced DAV-ihn▶Amais#3447 in the U.S.Most plausibly a variant of Amias/Amyas — an English name traditionally linked to Latin amatus, 'loved' —Pronounced ə-MAYS▶Lowell#3735 in the U.S.From the Norman surname Lovel — Old French lou, 'wolf', plus a diminutive — 'little wolf'Pronounced LOH-əl▶Dallin#3803 in the U.S.From an English surname — 'dale/valley dweller' readings — beloved in Latter-day Saint naming (Dallin H. Pronounced DAL-in▶Peace#3857 in the U.S.From the English word peace — Latin pax — the virtue outright, beloved in African Christian namingPronounced PEESS▶Dawsyn#3993 in the U.S.-yn spelling of Dawson — 'son of Daw', a medieval pet form of David, Hebrew 'beloved'Pronounced DAW-sən▶Erastus#4161 in the U.S.Erastus is a Greek name from erastos, 'beloved.' It appears in the New Testament as a companion of the apPronounced ih-RAS-tus▶Love#4262 in the U.S.From the word love — Old English lufu — and the Swedish name Love/Löve, from Norse 'leaf/dear'; routes laPronounced LUV▶Luby#4409 in the U.S.Luby is chiefly a surname used as a given name. As a surname it often derives from a Slavic root 'lyub,' Pronounced LOO-bee▶Lovell#4634 in the U.S.From a Norman-French surname Lovell — from louvel, 'a little wolf, wolf-cub' (diminutive of loup, 'wolf')Pronounced LUV-əl▶Sonnie#5011 in the U.S.-ie spelling of Sonny — from the affectionate word 'sonny', a fond name for a son or boy; also a Sanford/Pronounced SUN-ee▶Lewin#5340 in the U.S.From Old English Leofwine, 'beloved friend' (leof, 'dear', plus wine, 'friend'); also a German/Jewish surPronounced LOO-in▶Clover#5687 in the U.S.From the word clover — the three-leafed plant (Old English clafre); a symbol of luck; a botanical word-naPronounced KLOH-vər▶Davidson#5698 in the U.S.From the surname Davidson — 'the son of David', from Hebrew David, 'beloved'Pronounced DAY-vid-sən▶Dawsen#5700 in the U.S.-sen spelling of Dawson — 'the son of Daw' (Daw a medieval pet of David, 'beloved')Pronounced DAW-sən▶Treasure#5851 in the U.S.From the word treasure — from Greek thesauros, 'a treasure, a storehouse'; 'something precious and cherisPronounced TREZH-ər▶Darel#6222 in the U.S.A spelling of Darrell — from a Norman place-name, 'from Airelle (a place in Normandy)', folk-linked to 'aPronounced DAIR-əl▶Davied#6262 in the U.S.Davied is a spelling variant of David, from the Hebrew Dawid meaning beloved, the name of the shepherd kiPronounced DAY-vid▶Buster#6499 in the U.S.From the English nickname buster, 'a lively, spirited boy; a little fellow' (and 'one who breaks somethinPronounced BUS-ter▶Kedrick#7026 in the U.S.A spelling echoing Cedric (variously 'bounty; loved; a chief') and Kendrick ('bold ruler; royal power; chPronounced KED-rik▶Kingdavid#7040 in the U.S.A compound of King (a regal word/title) and David ('beloved', Hebrew) — honoring King David of the Bible;Pronounced KING-DAY-vid▶Darlin#7857 in the U.S.From the English word darling, 'dear; beloved; cherished' (from Old English deorling); a word-name; used Pronounced DAR-lin▶Sedrick#8194 in the U.S.A spelling of Cedric — a literary name coined by Sir Walter Scott (in Ivanhoe), variously linked to the OPronounced SED-rik▶Adore#8299 in the U.S.From the English word adore — via the Latin adorare, 'to worship; to love deeply; to adore'; a word-name;Pronounced ah-DOR▶Forever#8512 in the U.S.From the English word forever, 'eternally; for all time; endlessly' (a word for boundless time/love); a wPronounced for-EV-er▶Romance#8797 in the U.S.From the English word romance (via the Old French romanz, 'in the Roman tongue'), 'a love story; a tale oPronounced roh-MANSS▶Amyis#8944 in the U.S.Amyis is a modern coinage with no documented etymology of its own. It sits beside Amias and Amyas, EnglisPronounced AY-mis▶Jony#9307 in the U.S.Jony reads as a spelling of Johnny, the affectionate pet form of John, from the Hebrew for 'God is gracioPronounced JOH-nee▶Keyandre#9370 in the U.S.Keyandre is a modern African American coinage that pairs the fashionable Key- opening with Andre, the FrePronounced kee-AHN-dray▶Klover#9449 in the U.S.A spelling of Clover — from the word for the plant (from the Old English clafre), connoting luck (the fouPronounced KLOH-ver▶Lewyn#9487 in the U.S.A spelling of Lewin — from the Old English Leofwine, 'dear/beloved friend' (leof + wine)Pronounced LOO-in▶Tyke#9767 in the U.S.From the English word tyke — from the Old Norse tik, variously 'a small child/little one' (affectionate) Pronounced TYK▶Davison#10095 in the U.S.From the English surname Davison, 'a son of David' (David, 'beloved', Hebrew); a patronymic surnamePronounced DAY-vih-son▶Leman#10184 in the U.S.Leman was given as an American first name in the early twentieth century, most likely from a surname. ThePronounced LEE-muhn▶Phillips#10516 in the U.S.Phillips is a patronymic surname meaning 'son of Philip', used as a given name. Philip itself comes from Pronounced FIL-ips▶Trooper#10784 in the U.S.From the English word trooper, 'a soldier' or, affectionately, 'a steadfast, uncomplaining person.' A bolPronounced TROO-per▶Kary#10796 in the U.S.Kary is a K-spelling of Carey and Cary, from an Irish surname (O Ciardha) linked to ciar, 'dark', and somPronounced KAIR-ee▶Amorian#10988 in the U.S.Amorian reads as a modern American coinage, most plausibly built on 'amor' ('love' in Latin/Romance languPronounced uh-MOR-ee-un▶Arkham#11012 in the U.S.Arkham is a fictional place name: the Massachusetts town invented by H. P. Lovecraft and, most famously, Pronounced AR-kum▶Daviyon#11127 in the U.S.Daviyon is a modern American elaboration of Davion, itself an extended form of David, from Hebrew Dawid, Pronounced duh-VEE-on▶Caleel#11128 in the U.S.A modern American respelling of Khalil, an Arabic name meaning 'friend' or 'beloved companion.' The CaleePronounced kuh-LEEL▶Daesyn#11180 in the U.S.A modern respelling in the Dayson/Dawson family, 'son of David' ('beloved') by the Dawson route. Built foPronounced DAY-sun▶Essey#11301 in the U.S.Essey reads as a modern coinage or affectionate short form — perhaps echoing Esse, Jesse, or an East AfriPronounced ESS-ee▶Handsome#11378 in the U.S.The English adjective handsome, 'good-looking, fine,' used directly as a given name. A word/virtue-style Pronounced HAN-sum▶Happy#11382 in the U.S.The English word happy, 'joyful, glad,' used directly as a given name — a cheerful word/virtue-style pickPronounced HAP-ee▶Johnie#11469 in the U.S.Johnie is a variant spelling of Johnny, the affectionate short form of John. John descends through Latin Pronounced JOH-nee▶Kipper#11501 in the U.S.Kipper is an English pet-name and word name - a 'kipper' being a smoked, split herring - long used as an Pronounced KIP-ur▶Jedson#11510 in the U.S.Jedson reads as a modern American coinage, likely Jed (a short form of Jedidiah, Hebrew 'beloved of the LPronounced JED-sun▶Lenon#11594 in the U.S.Lenon reads as a variant of the Irish surname Lennon, anglicized from O Leannain, descendant of Leannan, Pronounced LEN-un▶Laddie#11725 in the U.S.Laddie comes from the English (and Scottish) word 'laddie,' an affectionate term for a young boy or lad. Pronounced LAD-ee▶Luv#11772 in the U.S.Luv reads as an English word-name spelling of 'love,' and separately as the Sanskrit name Luv (Lava), a sPronounced LUV▶Samwell#12057 in the U.S.Samwell is a spelling of Samuel, from the Hebrew Shmuel, 'God has heard' (or 'name of God'). It is also tPronounced SAM-wel▶Sonni#12109 in the U.S.Sonni is a spelling of Sonny, an English pet name from 'son' (and echoing 'sunny'), long used as a warm nPronounced SAHN-ee▶Ador#12272 in the U.S.Ador has no securely documented etymology as a given name. It echoes the English verb adore and the SpaniPronounced AY-dor▶Adoree#12347 in the U.S.A modern given name from the word 'adore' (to love deeply), ultimately from Latin adorare via French. As Pronounced uh-DOR-ee▶Amyas#12418 in the U.S.Amyas is an old English name, usually derived from Latin amatus ('loved; beloved') or linked to Amis/AmiaPronounced AY-mee-us▶Benjie#12535 in the U.S.Benjie is an affectionate pet-form of Benjamin, from the Hebrew for 'son of the right hand'. Warm and friPronounced BEN-jee▶Cederick#12603 in the U.S.Cederick is a respelled form of Cedric, a name coined by Sir Walter Scott for Ivanhoe. Scott seems to havPronounced SED-rik▶Cari#12604 in the U.S.Cari is usually a girl's name in the U.S., a short form of Carol or Caroline; separately, kari means 'lovPronounced KAR-ee▶Darling#12689 in the U.S.From the English word 'darling' ('dearly loved; beloved'), an old term of endearment (from Old English 'dPronounced DAR-ling▶Daveion#12695 in the U.S.A modern elaboration of Davion, built on David ('beloved') with an '-ion' ending. A contemporary coinage;Pronounced duh-VAY-on▶Davensky#12696 in the U.S.A modern coined name, likely from Haitian naming, built on Dave/David ('beloved') with a stylish '-sky' ePronounced duh-VEN-skee▶Dawsin#12697 in the U.S.A spelling of Dawson, an English patronymic surname, 'son of Daw' (Daw being a pet form of David, 'belovePronounced DAW-sin▶Dayveon#12701 in the U.S.A modern elaboration of Davion, built on David ('beloved') with a 'Day-' opening and an '-eon' ending. A Pronounced DAY-vee-on▶Glover#12705 in the U.S.Glover is an English occupational surname for a maker or seller of gloves, from Middle English 'glovere'.Pronounced GLUH-ver▶Dove#12761 in the U.S.Dove is the English word for the bird, a long-standing symbol of peace, love and the Holy Spirit. As a giPronounced DUV▶Jetty#13107 in the U.S.A word name: a jetty is a landing pier or breakwater built out into the water (from French jetee, 'thrownPronounced JET-ee▶Jondavid#13224 in the U.S.Jondavid is a compound of two Hebrew-rooted names written as one: Jon (from John, 'God is gracious') and Pronounced JON-DAY-vid▶Marrion#13463 in the U.S.Marrion is a double-r spelling of Marion, originally a French diminutive of Marie — a name whose own meanPronounced MARE-ee-un▶Morrie#13539 in the U.S.Morrie is an affectionate short form of Morris or Maurice, from Latin Maurus, 'dark-skinned; Moorish'. ItPronounced MOR-ee▶Nussy#13629 in the U.S.Nussy has no settled etymology. It reads as a pet-name or short-form coinage — the kind of affectionate nPronounced NUSS-ee▶Rhody#13764 in the U.S.Rhody is a nickname-style name, read as a short form of Rhodes ('woodland clearing') or Roderick ('famousPronounced ROH-dee▶Shady#13850 in the U.S.Shady most often reads as the plain English word 'shady,' likely bestowed as a nature or nickname-style wPronounced SHAY-dee▶Osker#13869 in the U.S.Osker is a respelling of Oscar. That name has two well-attested roots: an Old English and Old Norse compoPronounced OSS-kur▶CorduroyThe English word 'corduroy' — the soft, ribbed cotton fabric — used as a warm, whimsical name, familiar tPronounced KOR-duh-roy▶
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Frequently Asked
Why do so many English boy names mean love or beloved?
Much of it traces to one Hebrew root: David, meaning beloved. English turned that meaning into surnames like Dawson and Davis, and into everyday short forms like Dave.
Is Amias a real English name?
Yes. Amias is a genuine Elizabethan-era English name built on the Latin word for love, amare. It's rare today, which is part of its appeal to parents wanting something uncommon but meaningful.