Greek Girl Names That Mean Love

Greek girl names that mean love keep returning to one small word, charis, grace and favor, and this page collects fifty-two ways of saying it.

Names99

OriginGreek

MeaningLove

GenderGirl

Two names here say it almost without disguise. Karissa comes straight from the Greek for grace and beloved, and Carissa draws on the same root, charis, before Latin softened it into carissima, dearest. Say them side by side and you can hear one idea traveling through two languages.

Elsewhere on the list, love shows up paired with another virtue rather than standing alone. Karina pairs pure and beloved in one name, and Marykate joins a name meaning beloved to one meaning pure. Greek and its neighboring naming traditions rarely let love stand by itself; it keeps company with grace, purity, or beauty.

Where These Greek Girl Names That Mean Love Come From

Charis was the Greek word for grace, the kind of favor that draws people toward someone, and it sits at the root of both Karissa and Carissa. Not every Greek name on this list leans on that word, though. Callie comes from the Greek for 'beautiful,' a reminder that ancient Greek naming habits often reached for an admired quality, grace, beauty, purity, and let love follow from it rather than naming it outright.

Familiar Spellings, Less Familiar Meanings

Some names on this list carry Greek roots but wear a different meaning in daily use. Naya means water nymph in Greek, Elara comes from Greek myth by way of a moon of Jupiter, and Nikita is Greek for unconquered. Parents drawn here are usually after the feeling of the whole list, gentle sounds and warmth in the mouth, more than one dictionary definition.

Names List

Callie#175 in the U.S.Beautiful, lovely — short form of Calliope or Callista, from Greek kallos (beauty)Pronounced KAL-ee▶Maisy#745 in the U.S.Scottish pet form of Margaret, from the Greek Margarites meaning 'pearl'; Maisy is an alternate spelling Pronounced MAY-zee▶Karina#750 in the U.S.Scandinavian and Eastern European form of Karen or Carina; from the Greek Katharine (pure) through the ScPronounced kah-REE-nah▶Naya#813 in the U.S.New or fresh; from Arabic naya meaning new or recently arrived, or from the Hebrew root naah meaning pleaPronounced NAY-uh▶Elara#942 in the U.S.In Greek mythology Elara was a mortal woman loved by Zeus; the name may derive from Greek root ela relatePronounced eh-LAR-uh▶Mazie#966 in the U.S.Variant of Maisie, itself a Scottish diminutive of Margaret or Mary, from Greek margarites meaning pearl Pronounced MAY-zee▶Karen#1263 in the U.S.Pure; beloved; Danish/Scandinavian form of Katherine, from Greek Aikaterine (pure)Pronounced KAIR-un▶Karissa#2671 in the U.S.Grace; dear, beloved.Pronounced kuh-RIHS-uh▶Carissa#3448 in the U.S.From Greek charis, 'grace', via the name Charissa; reinforced by Latin carissima, 'dearest, most beloved'Pronounced kə-RIS-ə▶Ophilia#4178 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Ophelia, from the Greek ophelia, 'help; aid; benefit.' Ophelia is also Hamlet's traPronounced oh-FEEL-ee-ah▶Nikita#4431 in the U.S.From Greek aniketos, 'unconquered' (a male name in Slavic use); also a Sanskrit girls' name ('the earth; Pronounced nih-KEE-tah▶Marykate#4521 in the U.S.Compound of Mary ('beloved/bitter/wished-for child') and Kate (a short form of Katherine, 'pure'), given Pronounced MAIR-ee-kayt▶Filomena#4681 in the U.S.Italian/Portuguese form of Philomena — from Greek philos, 'friend/love', plus menos, 'strength' (or 'beloPronounced fee-loh-MEH-nah▶Cozette#4904 in the U.S.Z-spelling of Cosette — a French pet name, 'little thing/darling' (possibly from Cosima/Nicolette, 'victoPronounced koh-ZET▶Aphrodite#5298 in the U.S.From Greek Aphrodite — the goddess of love and beauty, traditionally linked to aphros, 'sea foam' (she roPronounced af-rə-DY-tee▶Clytie#5387 in the U.S.Clytie (Greek Klytie) is the name of an Oceanid nymph in Greek mythology who loved the sun god Helios; spPronounced KLY-tee▶Yanira#5413 in the U.S.Latina form of Ianeira/Ianira — a Greek sea nymph (a Nereid), her name linked to 'lovely' or 'man-charminPronounced yah-NEE-rah▶Caris#5638 in the U.S.From Greek charis, 'grace, kindness, charm', and/or Welsh caru, 'to love' (carys, 'beloved, love'); routePronounced KAR-iss▶Myrle#5686 in the U.S.Myrle is a variant of Myrtle, the fragrant evergreen from Greek myrtos long tied to love and marriage, orPronounced MURL▶Dodi#6021 in the U.S.Dodi is a pet form of Dorothy, through the diminutive Dodie, and so carries Dorothy's Greek meaning, 'gifPronounced DOH-dee▶Missy#6300 in the U.S.A pet form — variously of Melissa ('a honeybee', Greek) and Millicent ('strong in work', Germanic) — and Pronounced MISS-ee▶Mylene#6303 in the U.S.The French Mylene — a blend of Marie ('beloved; of the sea') and Helene ('a torch; light'); routes layerePronounced mee-LEN▶Mertie#6352 in the U.S.Mertie is a vintage diminutive of Myrtle — from Greek myrtos, the myrtle shrub sacred to Venus and long aPronounced MUR-tee▶Narcissus#6353 in the U.S.Narcissus is the name of a beautiful youth in Greek mythology who fell in love with his own reflection inPronounced nar-SIS-us▶Myrl#6605 in the U.S.Myrl is a clipped, phonetic form of Myrtle — from Greek myrtos, the evergreen myrtle plant, an emblem of Pronounced MURL▶Mame#6809 in the U.S.A pet form, variously of Mary ('beloved; bitter; of the sea') and Margaret ('a pearl'); routes layeredPronounced MAYM▶Mamie#6810 in the U.S.A pet form, variously of Mary ('beloved; bitter; of the sea') and Margaret ('a pearl'); routes layeredPronounced MAY-mee▶Maryellen#6814 in the U.S.A compound of Mary (variously 'beloved; bitter; of the sea') and Ellen (a form of Helen, 'light; a torch;Pronounced MAIR-ee-el-en▶Philomene#7073 in the U.S.Philomene is the French and German form of Philomena, built from Greek philos, 'loving' or 'friend,' and Pronounced FIL-uh-meen▶Marjo#7137 in the U.S.Marjo works two ways: as a clipped form of Marjorie (a medieval English form of Margaret, from Greek margPronounced MAR-joh▶Myrtie#7198 in the U.S.Myrtie is an affectionate pet form of Myrtle, the fragrant evergreen shrub long tied to love and Venus, fPronounced MUR-tee▶Danai#7660 in the U.S.From Shona (Zimbabwean), 'love one another; relate well'; also Greek Danae ('she who judges'), the motherPronounced dah-NY▶Marymargaret#7805 in the U.S.An English compound of Mary ('beloved; wished-for child', Hebrew) and Margaret ('a pearl', Greek)Pronounced MAIR-ee-MAR-guh-ret▶Melena#7811 in the U.S.Variously a form of Milena ('gracious; dear; loved', Slavic) and Melina ('dark; honey', Greek); routes laPronounced meh-LEH-nah▶Marielena#8228 in the U.S.A Spanish compound of Marie ('beloved; of the sea', from Hebrew Miriam) and Elena ('light; the bright onePronounced mah-ree-eh-LEH-nah▶Agapita#8448 in the U.S.Agapita is the Spanish feminine of Agapito, from the Latin Agapitus and the Greek agape, meaning love, esPronounced ah-gah-PEE-tah▶Karena#8668 in the U.S.A form/spelling of Karina/Karen — variously from the Latin cara, 'dear; beloved', and a Danish form of KaPronounced kah-REE-nah▶Marykatherine#8748 in the U.S.A compound of Mary ('beloved; bitter; drop of the sea', Hebrew) and Katherine ('pure', Greek katharos), hPronounced MAIR-ee-KATH-rin▶Cyrene#9038 in the U.S.From Greek myth — Cyrene, a fearless nymph and huntress loved by Apollo; also the ancient Libyan city namPronounced sy-REEN▶Laineymae#9249 in the U.S.A compound name — Lainey (a short form of Elaine, 'a bright, shining light') joined with Mae (a form of MPronounced LAY-nee-may▶Mariaelena#9305 in the U.S.A compound name — Maria (a form of Mary, variously 'star of the sea; beloved; bitter') joined with Elena Pronounced mah-REE-ah-eh-LEH-nah▶Mariateresa#9306 in the U.S.A compound name — Maria (a form of Mary, variously 'star of the sea; beloved') joined with Teresa (variouPronounced mah-REE-ah-teh-REH-sah▶Marycatherine#9312 in the U.S.A compound name — Mary (variously 'star of the sea; beloved; bitter') joined with Catherine ('pure', fromPronounced MAIR-ee-KATH-rin▶Io#9867 in the U.S.From the Greek Io, of uncertain meaning (variously linked to 'the moon' or to a cry of grief); a priestesPronounced EE-oh▶Filippa#10578 in the U.S.The Scandinavian/Italian feminine of Philip, from the Greek Philippos, 'lover of horses' (philos, 'lovingPronounced fih-LIP-ah▶Delpha#10586 in the U.S.Delpha is an early-century short name tied to Delphine, from Greek delphis, 'dolphin', and to PhiladelphiPronounced DEL-fuh▶Cleora#10812 in the U.S.Cleora draws on the Greek kleos, 'glory, fame,' the same root behind Cleo and Cleopatra, blended with thePronounced klee-OR-uh▶Myrtha#10997 in the U.S.Myrtha is a variant of Myrtle, from the Greek myrtos - the fragrant evergreen shrub that classical traditPronounced MUR-thuh▶Kathyann#11171 in the U.S.Kathyann is a run-together compound of Kathy and Ann in the mid-century American style. Kathy is a short Pronounced KATH-ee-an▶Kaytie#12200 in the U.S.Kaytie is a stylized respelling of Katie, the affectionate short form of Katherine, traditionally traced Pronounced KAY-tee▶Anasophia#12224 in the U.S.Anasophia is a combination name joining Ana ('grace,' via Hannah) with Sophia ('wisdom,' Greek). Popular Pronounced ah-nah-soh-FEE-ah▶Annasophia#12236 in the U.S.Annasophia combines Anna ('grace', from Hebrew Hannah) with Sophia ('wisdom', from Greek sophia). The paiPronounced an-uh-soh-FEE-uh▶Arieanna#12254 in the U.S.Arieanna is a modern respelling of Arianna/Ariana, from Greek Ariadne ('most holy'). It can also read as Pronounced air-ee-AN-uh▶Margurite#12473 in the U.S.Margurite is a common variant spelling of Marguerite, the French form of Margaret, from the Greek margariPronounced MAR-guh-reet▶Eleftheria#12486 in the U.S.A Greek name from eleftheria ('freedom, liberty'), also the name of the personified spirit of liberty. A Pronounced el-ef-thuh-REE-ah▶Myrta#12581 in the U.S.Myrta is a shortened, softened form of Myrtle, the classic Victorian flower name taken from the Greek worPronounced MUR-tuh▶Myrtis#12582 in the U.S.Myrtis derives from Greek myrtos, the myrtle — a shrub long linked to love and beauty. It was the name ofPronounced MUR-tiss▶Kristie#12805 in the U.S.A short, affectionate form of Kristin or Christine, from Greek Christos ('anointed'), carrying the sense Pronounced KRIS-tee▶Nektaria#13040 in the U.S.From the Greek nektar, the drink of the gods that conferred immortality; Nektaria is the feminine of NektPronounced nek-TAR-ee-uh▶Sophiah#13284 in the U.S.Sophiah is a decorated respelling of Sophia, which comes directly from the Greek word sophia, 'wisdom'. SPronounced soh-FEE-uh▶Toula#13310 in the U.S.Toula is a Greek affectionate short form, drawn from the -toula diminutive ending on longer names — KonstPronounced TOO-luh▶Azalie#13662 in the U.S.Azalie is a trimmed form of the flower name Azalea, from the Greek azaleos, 'dry' — the shrub's love of dPronounced AZ-uh-lee▶Callisto#13748 in the U.S.From the Greek kallistos, 'most beautiful' (from kalos, 'beautiful'); a nymph loved by Zeus and turned inPronounced kuh-LIS-toh▶Correna#13896 in the U.S.Correna is a spelling variant of Corinna or Corina, from Greek 'kore', 'maiden'. Corinna was the name of Pronounced kuh-REE-nuh▶Sherese#13974 in the U.S.Sherese varies Cherise/Charisse, blending French 'cherie' (dear, beloved) with the Greek Charis, 'grace';Pronounced shuh-REES▶Felipa#13983 in the U.S.Spanish feminine of Felipe (Philip), from Greek Philippos: philos 'loving' plus hippos 'horse' — 'lover oPronounced feh-LEE-pah▶Charish#14169 in the U.S.A modern coinage echoing the word 'cherish' ('to hold dear') and the Greek Charis ('grace; kindness'). AsPronounced CHAR-ish▶Tais#14340 in the U.S.Tais is a form of Thaïs, borne by a famous Athenian courtesan who accompanied Alexander the Great and by Pronounced tah-EES▶Litza#14479 in the U.S.Litza is a diminutive — in Greek a familiar ending (-itsa/-itza) clipped off longer names such as EvangelPronounced LEET-suh▶Mariasofia#14575 in the U.S.A compound joining Maria — from the Hebrew Miriam — to Sofia, from the Greek sophia, 'wisdom'. Italian anPronounced mah-ree-uh-soh-FEE-uh▶Myrtle#14617 in the U.S.The myrtle shrub, a symbol of lovePronounced MUR-tul▶Meg#14712 in the U.S.Meg is a classic short form of Margaret, from the Greek margarites, 'pearl'. Warm and enduring, it is besPronounced MEG▶Roxane#14834 in the U.S.From the Persian Roxana (Roshanak), 'dawn; bright; little star' — the name of the wife of Alexander the GPronounced rok-SAN▶Seleny#14883 in the U.S.Seleny is a Spanish-influenced variant of Selena or Selene, from the Greek Selene, the goddess of the mooPronounced suh-LEN-ee▶Karrina#15251 in the U.S.Karrina, with a doubled r, is a variant of Karina and Katrina. Karina is usually linked to the Latin caruPronounced kuh-REE-nuh▶Icis#15331 in the U.S.Icis is a phonetic spelling of Isis, the Greek rendering of the ancient Egyptian goddess Aset, whose namePronounced EYE-sis▶Mariellen#15648 in the U.S.Mariellen fuses Mary — Hebrew Miriam, variously 'beloved', 'wished-for child', or 'of the sea' — with EllPronounced mair-ee-EL-uhn▶Aaryanna#15694 in the U.S.Aaryanna is an ornate respelling of Ariana, the Italian form of Ariadne (Greek, 'very holy'), also associPronounced air-ee-AH-nuh▶Catriona#15695 in the U.S.Catriona is the Scottish Gaelic form of Katherine, the classic name traditionally read as 'pure' from thePronounced kuh-TREE-nuh▶Carisa#15711 in the U.S.Carisa is a variant of Carissa, generally traced to the Greek charis ('grace') or the Latin cara ('dear; Pronounced kah-RISS-ah▶Delphia#15831 in the U.S.Delphia is usually read against Delphi, the sanctuary of the oracle in ancient Greece, whose name is linkPronounced DEL-fee-uh▶Ariyannah#16155 in the U.S.Ariyannah is an elaborated modern spelling of Ariana or Arianna, names that trace through Italian back toPronounced ar-ee-AN-uh▶Sherece#16221 in the U.S.Sherece is a phonetic variant of Cherise or Charisse. Cherise draws on the French cherie, 'dear' or 'beloPronounced shuh-REES▶Karisa#16385 in the U.S.Karisa is a single-s, K- spelling of Carissa, a name usually traced to Greek charis, 'grace', or Latin caPronounced kuh-RIS-uh▶Jynx#16409 in the U.S.A respelling of the English word jinx, which means a person or thing that brings bad luck. The word is gePronounced JINGKS▶Karyssa#16739 in the U.S.Karyssa is a decorative respelling of Carissa, a name usually traced to Greek charis, 'grace', or Latin cPronounced kuh-RIS-uh▶Maryhelen#16851 in the U.S.Maryhelen is a written-together double name marrying Mary and Helen. Mary, from Hebrew Miriam, is variousPronounced MAIR-ee-HEL-uhn▶Philana#16974 in the U.S.Philana is a Greek-rooted name from philos, 'loving, dear, a friend', the same element in words like philPronounced fih-LAH-nuh▶Panagiota#16998 in the U.S.Panagiota is the feminine of the Greek Panagiotis, both derived from Panagia, 'the All-Holy', a beloved tPronounced pah-nah-YOH-tah▶Georgeann#16999 in the U.S.Georgeann is a compound of George and Ann. George comes from the Greek georgos, 'farmer, earth-worker,' aPronounced JOR-jann▶Phillipa#17081 in the U.S.A spelling of Philippa, the feminine of Philip (Greek Philippos, 'lover of horses,' from philos, 'loving,Pronounced FIL-ih-pah▶Rosellen#17119 in the U.S.Rosellen is a compound of Rose and Ellen. Rose comes from the Latin rosa, the flower, long a symbol of bePronounced ROHZ-el-un▶Caryssa#17397 in the U.S.Caryssa is a spelling of Carissa, a name usually traced to Latin carus, 'dear' or 'beloved,' and sometimePronounced kuh-RIS-uh▶Hayde#17439 in the U.S.Hayde is generally a trimmed form of Haydee, a name Lord Byron gave a beloved heroine in Don Juan and oftPronounced HAY-dee▶Karrisa#19011 in the U.S.Karrisa is a K-spelled variant of Carissa, built on the Greek charis, 'grace,' by way of the Latin carus,Pronounced kuh-RIS-uh▶Mirta#19280 in the U.S.Mirta is the Spanish and Italian form of Myrtle, ultimately from Greek 'myrtos', the myrtle shrub - an evPronounced MEER-tah▶Mirtha#19535 in the U.S.Mirtha is a Spanish and Latin American name, a variant of Mirta, which comes from Myrtle and ultimately tPronounced MEER-tah▶AgapiFrom the Greek agape, 'love' — the selfless, unconditional, divine love. A warm, meaning-rich virtue namePronounced ah-GAH-pee▶EratoFrom the Greek eratos, 'lovely; desired; beloved' (linked to Eros); the Muse of love poetry and lyric; wePronounced AIR-uh-toh▶

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Frequently Asked

Which name on this list means love most directly?

Karissa comes closest, its Greek root doubles as both 'grace' and 'beloved.' Carissa is close behind, built from the same charis root before Latin turned it into 'dearest.'

Are all these names strictly Greek in origin?

Not every name on this list is purely Greek. Maisy and Mazie come from the Scottish pet form of Margaret, and Karina blends a Greek root with a Latin one, which is common once names travel across cultures.

What does Ophilia mean, and is it related to Ophelia?

Ophilia is a softened spelling of Ophelia and means 'help' or 'aid' rather than love itself. It earns its place here through sound and familiarity more than a direct meaning.