Love

♂ Boy

Pronounced LUV /ˈlʌv/High

Meaning: From the word love — Old English lufu — and the Swedish name Love/Löve, from Norse 'leaf/dear'; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: The simplest, deepest word: Love is the virtue-name itself — and a Swedish boys' name too. Tender, bold, and pure.

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Origin MediumEnglish, Old Norse

MeaningFrom the word love — Old English lufu — and the Swedish name Love/Löve, from Norse 'leaf/dear'; routes layered

U.S. rank (2025)#4804 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births21 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 988

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Love comes from the word love — Old English lufu — and overlaps the Swedish name Love/Löve, from Norse 'leaf' or 'dear' (routes layered, which we note). A tender, bold word-name, used for both sexes, here for boys.

It registers thinly for boys. Rare for boys, love at the root, and pure.

Did you know? Love is both the English word (Old English lufu) and a Swedish boys' name (Löve, linked to Norse 'leaf' or 'dear') — tender and unexpectedly masculine.

Overall data confidence 62%

Behind the Name — Love — routes layered

Variations

LöveLowe

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Love Lufefe
South African social entrepreneur known as the Spinach King who founded a health bread business in Cape Town

If you like Love…

Lev— a fellow Lev/Love sound

Loyal— a companion virtue word-name

Beau— another endearment-name

Sage— a fellow one-syllable word-name

Explore names like Love

By themeuncertain english unisex word-name old-norse

By meaningLove

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Love mean?

Love is the word 'love, affection', and a Swedish boys' name (from Norse 'leaf/dear'); the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Love?

It's said LUV /ˈlʌv/ — a single syllable.

Is Love a boy or girl name?

Love is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Love?

Love is rare for boys in the U.S.