Rising since 1991, #955 for girls today.
Popularity of Love since 1880
Babies named Love per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 30 | 51 |
| 1890s | 79 | 41 |
| 1900s | 63 | 59 |
| 1910s | 126 | 115 |
| 1920s | 139 | 129 |
| 1930s | 74 | 79 |
| 1940s | 38 | 38 |
| 1950s | 22 | 28 |
| 1960s | 62 | 5 |
| 1970s | 261 | 59 |
| 1980s | 139 | 29 |
| 1990s | 168 | 59 |
| 2000s | 593 | 74 |
| 2010s | 1,149 | 81 |
| 2020s | 1,854 | 141 |
Meaning & origin
The name Love, while simple, carries a powerful emotional weight as a virtue name. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1880, but its usage remained sporadic for over a century. A notable resurgence began in 1991, and Love has been steadily rising in popularity ever since, reaching its peak rank of 955 in 2025, the latest year of data. In that year, Love was given to approximately 1 in 5,975 female newborns. The name is most popular in Nevada, Alabama, and Indiana. This recent growth mirrors a broader trend of using abstract, evocative nouns as given names, such as Grace and Faith. Love's straightforward meaning and positive connotations make it an appealing choice for parents seeking a name that embodies a universal ideal.
Love derives from the Old English word 'lufu', meaning 'love, affection, friendship', which in turn comes from Proto-Germanic *lubō. It has been used as a given name since at least the 19th century, often as a virtue name. Its use as a modern given name may also be influenced by the word for the emotion.
Where Love is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Love” around the world
Where Love lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lovie
Sibling names for Love
Names that share Love's style, for a brother or sister.
