Hebrew Boy Names That Mean Love
Hebrew boy names that mean love cluster overwhelmingly around one root word, beloved, which resurfaces in surprisingly different shapes across this list of ninety-one names.
Names102
OriginHebrew
MeaningLove
GenderBoy
Beloved is the single most common meaning behind Hebrew boy names that mean love, and nowhere is that clearer than on this page. David, Davis, Dovid, Davi, Davion, and Davian all trace to that same three-letter Hebrew root, each one shaped by a different culture that fell for it.
Not every entry translates literally to love. Jedidiah means beloved of God, the secret name a prophet gave the infant Solomon, while Reuben is the plain, ancient announcement behold, a son, the name Leah gave her firstborn in Genesis. Even the nickname names here, like Johnny, Benny, and Giovani, carry the same easy warmth in their sound.
Why so many Hebrew boy names that mean love trace to one word
The reason Hebrew boy names that mean love keep repeating is that so many of them are, quite literally, translations and descendants of one word: David, beloved. Davis carried it into Welsh surname naming. Dovid preserves the Yiddish pronunciation used in Orthodox communities. Davi is its Portuguese form, common in Brazil. Dariel and Davion are newer, blended reinventions of the same root.
Names that show love in different ways
Not all of these names announce love the same way. Jedidiah declares it outright, beloved of God, given in secret to the infant Solomon. David keeps it simpler still: just beloved, worn by history's most famous warrior-king. Reuben shows love sideways, through the family declaration behold, a son, rather than the word itself, and short forms like Johnny and Benny feel warm simply because nicknames always do.
Names List
David#35 in the U.S.Beloved; darling; dear onePronounced DAY-vid▶Dariel#327 in the U.S.A modern name blending elements of Dario (gift) or Daniel (God is my judge) with the angelic suffix -el (Pronounced DAIR-ee-el▶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▶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▶Benny#841 in the U.S.Pet form of Benjamin, from the Hebrew Binyamin meaning 'son of the right hand' (expressing good fortune aPronounced BEN-ee▶Jedidiah#876 in the U.S.From Hebrew Yedidyah, composed of yedid meaning beloved or friend and Yah, a shortened form of YHWH (God)Pronounced jed-ih-DY-uh▶Reuben#889 in the U.S.From Hebrew Re'uven, meaning behold, a son — from re'u (behold, look) and ben (son); the name Leah gives Pronounced ROO-ben▶Davion#1236 in the U.S.Beloved; from David with -ion suffixPronounced DAY-vee-on▶Giovani#1250 in the U.S.God is gracious, beloved of GodPronounced joh-VAH-nee▶Dovid#1300 in the U.S.Beloved, dear onePronounced DOH-vid▶Davian#1391 in the U.S.Beloved; David elaboration with -ian suffixPronounced DAY-vee-an▶Davi#1402 in the U.S.Beloved, dear onePronounced DAH-vee▶Marion#2321 in the U.S.beloved, sea of bitternessPronounced MAIR-ee-un▶Jedediah#2718 in the U.S.beloved of YahwehPronounced jehd-ih-DYE-uh▶Levin#3017 in the U.S.Dear friend; beloved friendPronounced LEV-in▶Dewie#3304 in the U.S.Dewie is a respelling of Dewey, from the Welsh Dewi, the Welsh form of David, itself from the Hebrew dawiPronounced DOO-ee▶Zalmen#3446 in the U.S.Yiddish form of Solomon — Hebrew Shlomo, from shalom, 'peace' — long beloved in Ashkenazi communitiesPronounced ZAHL-men▶Avrumy#3451 in the U.S.Yiddish diminutive of Avrum (Abraham) — Hebrew Avraham, 'father of multitudes' — beloved in Hasidic commuPronounced AHV-roo-mee▶Davey#3527 in the U.S.Pet form of David — Hebrew Dawid, 'beloved' — with the affectionate -ey endingPronounced DAY-vee▶Motty#3563 in the U.S.A Yiddish/Hebrew pet form of Mordechai (linked to the god Marduk; 'warrior') via Mottel; an affectionate Pronounced MAH-tee▶Dewey#3613 in the U.S.From Welsh Dewi (David), 'beloved' — or an Americanized surname; borne by Admiral Dewey and philosopher JPronounced DOO-ee▶Duvid#3705 in the U.S.Yiddish/Ashkenazi pronunciation-spelling of David — Hebrew Dawid, 'beloved' — the shepherd-kingPronounced DOO-vid▶Oseas#3947 in the U.S.Spanish form of Hosea — Hebrew 'salvation' — the steadfast-love prophetPronounced oh-SEH-ahs▶Jediah#4239 in the U.S.From Hebrew Jedidiah/Jediah — 'beloved of Yahweh' or 'hand/praise of Yahweh'; routes layeredPronounced jə-DY-ah▶Jebediah#4352 in the U.S.Variant of Jedediah — Hebrew Yedidyah, 'beloved of Yahweh' (the God-given name of Solomon)Pronounced jeb-ə-DY-ah▶Johndavid#4476 in the U.S.Compound of John ('God is gracious') and David ('beloved'), given as one namePronounced JON-DAY-vid▶Daven#4580 in the U.S.Modern coinage echoing David ('beloved') and Davin/Devin; also a Yiddish word, 'to pray'; routes layeredPronounced DAY-vən▶Davit#4581 in the U.S.Georgian (and Armenian-toned) form of David — from Hebrew Dawid, 'beloved'Pronounced dah-VEET▶Davari#4907 in the U.S.Modern coinage with a Da-/Dav- opening (echoing David, 'beloved') and a -vari/-ari ending; no single fixePronounced də-VAR-ee▶Dawood#4909 in the U.S.Arabic form of David — from Hebrew David, 'beloved' — a revered prophet (Dawud) in IslamPronounced dah-WOOD▶Tevita#5018 in the U.S.Tongan/Fijian form of David — from Hebrew David, 'beloved'Pronounced teh-VEE-tah▶Yida#5039 in the U.S.Possibly linked to Hebrew yedid/yadid, 'a friend, a beloved one'; also a modern/Latino name; gloss layerePronounced YEE-dah▶Jedd#5123 in the U.S.Double-d spelling of Jed — a short form of Jedidiah, from Hebrew, 'beloved of the Lord; friend of God'Pronounced JED▶Leiby#5339 in the U.S.Yiddish pet form of Leib, 'a lion' (a translation of the Hebrew Aryeh/Yehuda, the lion of Judah); also liPronounced LAY-bee▶Nain#5363 in the U.S.From the biblical town Nain — from Hebrew na'im, 'pleasant, beautiful, lovely'; also a modern Latina namePronounced nah-EEN▶Daveon#5475 in the U.S.A modern elaboration of David ('beloved', Hebrew) with a -eon ending; no single fixed root; routes layerePronounced DAY-vee-on▶Dawit#5476 in the U.S.The Ethiopian (Amharic/Ge'ez) form of David — from Hebrew David, 'beloved'Pronounced DAH-weet▶Raam#5585 in the U.S.A spelling of Ram/Raam — from Sanskrit Rama, 'pleasing, charming, dark' (the beloved deity); also Hebrew Pronounced RAHM▶Dariell#5695 in the U.S.A -ll spelling of Dariel — a modern name echoing 'beloved' and the -iel/-ell names ('of God', Hebrew); noPronounced dah-ree-EL▶Davidson#5698 in the U.S.From the surname Davidson — 'the son of David', from Hebrew David, 'beloved'Pronounced DAY-vid-sən▶Davontae#5699 in the U.S.A modern name with a Da- opening and -vontae ending (echoing David, 'beloved', and Donté); no single fixePronounced DAY-von-tay▶Dawsen#5700 in the U.S.-sen spelling of Dawson — 'the son of Daw' (Daw a medieval pet of David, 'beloved')Pronounced DAW-sən▶Daviel#5954 in the U.S.A modern name blending David ('beloved', Hebrew) with the -iel ending ('God'); routes layeredPronounced dah-vee-EL▶Daud#6223 in the U.S.The Arabic form of David — from Hebrew David, 'beloved'Pronounced dah-OOD▶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▶Davien#6517 in the U.S.A modern elaboration, variously of David ('beloved') and a Davion/Davian-style blend; routes layeredPronounced DAY-vee-en▶Deiby#6520 in the U.S.A Latina phonetic spelling of Davy/David — from Hebrew David, 'beloved; dear'Pronounced DAY-bee▶Josemaria#6612 in the U.S.A Spanish compound of Jose (the Spanish Joseph, 'God will add; he will increase') and Maria (variously 'bPronounced hoh-seh-mah-REE-ah▶Davud#6898 in the U.S.The Turkish/Azerbaijani form of David — from Hebrew David, 'beloved; dear'Pronounced dah-VOOD▶Dawoud#6899 in the U.S.A spelling of Dawud, the Arabic form of David — from Hebrew, 'beloved; dear' (Dawud, a prophet in Islam)Pronounced dah-WOOD▶Deyvid#6908 in the U.S.A phonetic spelling of David — from Hebrew David, 'beloved; dear'Pronounced DAY-vid▶Jedi#6990 in the U.S.Best known as a Star Wars name (a Jedi knight, a guardian of peace); sometimes also linked to the Hebrew Pronounced JEH-dy▶Jhan#6999 in the U.S.Variously a spelling of Jan (a form of John, 'God is gracious') and the Persian/Hindi jaan, 'life; soul; Pronounced JAHN▶Kawika#7022 in the U.S.The Hawaiian form of David — from Hebrew, 'beloved; dear'Pronounced kah-VEE-kah▶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▶Hanan#7048 in the U.S.Two genuine routes, both worth giving. In Hebrew, Hanan means 'grace; gracious' (from chanan, 'to be gracPronounced hah-NAHN▶Taavi#7179 in the U.S.A Finnish/Estonian form of David — from Hebrew, 'beloved; dear'Pronounced TAH-vee▶Davide#7323 in the U.S.The Italian form of David — from Hebrew, 'beloved; darling'Pronounced dah-VEE-deh▶Davie#7324 in the U.S.A pet form of David — from Hebrew, 'beloved; darling'Pronounced DAY-vee▶Dayvion#7328 in the U.S.A spelling of Davion — a modern elaboration of David ('beloved', Hebrew) with an -ion ending; routes layePronounced DAY-vee-on▶Hesed#7394 in the U.S.From Hebrew chesed/hesed, 'loving-kindness; steadfast love; mercy; grace' — a central biblical word for GPronounced HEH-sed▶Daison#7849 in the U.S.A modern name, variously a spelling of Dayson ('son of David', from Hebrew, 'beloved') and a Mason echo; Pronounced DAY-son▶Jeb#7972 in the U.S.A short form of Jebediah/Jedidiah ('beloved of the Lord', Hebrew); also used as the initials J.E.B.; routPronounced JEB▶Davilucca#8443 in the U.S.A modern compound, joining David ('beloved', Hebrew) and Lucca/Luca ('light; from Lucania', Latin); a comPronounced dah-vee-LOO-kah▶Deivis#8450 in the U.S.A Latin American/Lithuanian form of David — from the Hebrew, 'beloved; dear'; routes layeredPronounced DAY-vees▶Sevi#8830 in the U.S.Variously the Turkish sevi, 'love', and the Hebrew Tzvi/Sevi, 'a deer; a gazelle'; used for both sexes; rPronounced SEH-vee▶Daoud#9153 in the U.S.The Arabic form of David (Dawud) — from the Hebrew Dawid, 'beloved; dear'Pronounced dah-OOD▶Deyvi#9179 in the U.S.A Spanish pet form/spelling of David — from the Hebrew Dawid, 'beloved; dear'Pronounced DAY-vee▶Deyvis#9180 in the U.S.A Spanish form/spelling of David/Davis — from the Hebrew Dawid, 'beloved'; Davis means 'son of David'; roPronounced DAY-vis▶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▶Maria#9520 in the U.S.From Mary/Miriam — variously 'beloved; bitter; of the sea/star of the sea'; used in some Catholic culturePronounced muh-REE-ah▶Yadel#9812 in the U.S.A modern Hispanic name, variously a short form of Yadiel ('God is my friend'/'beloved of God', Hebrew) wiPronounced yah-DEL▶Ailan#9896 in the U.S.Variously a form of Ilan/Aylan ('a tree/an oak', Hebrew) and a Chinese name (ai, 'love', + lan, 'orchid')Pronounced AY-lan▶Davidjames#10093 in the U.S.A compound name — David ('beloved', Hebrew) joined with James ('a supplanter; one who follows', from JacoPronounced DAY-vid-JAYMZ▶Davison#10095 in the U.S.From the English surname Davison, 'a son of David' (David, 'beloved', Hebrew); a patronymic surnamePronounced DAY-vih-son▶Dawid#10097 in the U.S.The Polish/Afrikaans form of David — from the Hebrew David, 'beloved'; the second king of Israel; we notePronounced DAH-veed▶Deivid#10102 in the U.S.A Latina/Brazilian phonetic spelling of David — from the Hebrew David, 'beloved'; the second king of IsraPronounced DAY-veed▶Yiddy#10847 in the U.S.Yiddy is an affectionate diminutive used in Yiddish-speaking (often Hasidic) communities, typically for nPronounced YID-ee▶Bentzy#10990 in the U.S.A warm Yiddish diminutive of Ben-Zion, from the Hebrew for 'son of Zion' - a name cherished in Jewish traPronounced BENT-see▶Daveyon#11079 in the U.S.Daveyon is a modern African-American coinage that extends Davey - a pet form of David, from Hebrew for 'bPronounced DAY-vee-on▶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▶Davyd#11206 in the U.S.The Ukrainian and wider Slavic spelling of David, from the Hebrew Dawid, 'beloved.' Borne by King David; Pronounced dah-VID▶Jebadiah#11326 in the U.S.Jebadiah is a spelling variant of Jedidiah, from Hebrew Yedidyah, joining yadid, 'beloved' or 'friend,' tPronounced jeb-uh-DY-uh▶Havi#11388 in the U.S.A short, warm name with several possible routes: a Hebrew reading tied to 'my beloved,' a Spanish short fPronounced HAH-vee▶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▶Matej#11811 in the U.S.The Czech, Slovak, and Slovene form of Matthew, from the Hebrew Mattityahu, 'gift of God.' A widely used Pronounced MAT-yay▶Siosifa#11923 in the U.S.The Tongan form of Joseph, from the Hebrew Yosef, 'God will increase; may He add.' A beloved name in TongPronounced see-oh-SEE-fah▶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▶Shabsi#12084 in the U.S.Shabsi is a Yiddish affectionate form of Shabbetai (Shabsai), from the Hebrew Shabbat, 'Sabbath' — traditPronounced SHAB-see▶Shimmy#12093 in the U.S.Shimmy reads as a Yiddish affectionate pet form of Shimon (Simon, 'he has heard') or Simcha ('joy'); it aPronounced SHIM-ee▶Shlomie#12096 in the U.S.Shlomie is a Yiddish affectionate form of Shlomo (Solomon), from the Hebrew shalom, 'peace' — so 'peacefuPronounced SHLOH-mee▶Yedidya#12250 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Yedidyah, 'beloved of God' (yadid, 'beloved; friend' + Yah, 'God'). In the Bible it is a Pronounced yeh-dee-DYAH▶Yidel#12254 in the U.S.A Yiddish affectionate form of Yehuda (Judah), from the Hebrew Yehudah, 'praised' or 'thanksgiving'. The Pronounced YEE-dul▶Anze#12373 in the U.S.A Slovene form of Hans (John), ultimately from the Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious.' Written Anze/Anze Pronounced AHN-zeh▶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▶Chezky#12627 in the U.S.A Yiddish affectionate form of Yechezkel (Ezekiel), from Hebrew Yeḥezqel, 'God will strengthen'. Used warPronounced KHEZ-kee▶Davyon#12633 in the U.S.Davyon is a coined boys' name in the Davion and Davon family, extending David with a flowing -yon ending.Pronounced DAY-vee-on▶Cion#12864 in the U.S.Cion reads as a name echoing Zion ('the holy hill; Jerusalem') and, separately, the Irish 'cion' ('love, Pronounced SEE-on▶Jedadiah#13028 in the U.S.Jedadiah is a spelling variant of the Hebrew name Jedidiah, 'yedid-yah', 'beloved of Yahweh'; in the BiblPronounced jed-ah-DYE-ah▶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▶Shlomy#13880 in the U.S.A Hebrew and Yiddish pet form of Shlomo — the Hebrew name behind Solomon — from shalom, 'peace'. Shlomy iPronounced SHLOH-mee▶Tuli#14034 in the U.S.Tuli has more than one live route. In Finnish, tuli means 'fire.' In Hebrew and Yiddish usage it appears Pronounced TOO-lee▶
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Frequently Asked
What does the name David mean in Hebrew?
David comes from the Hebrew word for beloved. It belongs to the shepherd-turned-king of the Hebrew Bible and has held a spot in the U.S. top 50 for generations, though it currently sits at #35 and is trending down.