MallowbyNames

Lovel

LOV-əl · Of uncertain origin; may be a variant or diminutive of Love, or a name derived from a surname.

Peak popularity
1914
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Lovel since 1914

Babies named Lovel per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lovel's real moment was 1914.

369192019602000Most births 1921GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirlsBoys
1910s728
1920s042
1930s011
1940s010
1950s00
1960s00
1970s00
1980s00
1990s00
2000s05
2010s00
2020s00

Meaning & origin

Lovel is an exceedingly rare given name, first recorded in the United States in 1914, which remains its peak year of usage. The name has never entered the top 1000, and in 2025 it does not appear in the Social Security Administration's public data. Its origin is uncertain; it may be a short form of a name containing 'love' or a variant of the surname Lovell, but the direct connection to the English word 'love' is the most plausible interpretation. Despite its obscurity, Lovel has a gentle, affectionate feel that aligns with virtue names from the 1910s, though it never gained traction. The name has not appeared in any U.S. state's top baby names, reflecting its extreme rarity. For parents seeking a truly unique name with a simple, positive connotation, Lovel offers an uncommon choice, though its lack of a well-established etymology may be a consideration.

The name Lovel is of uncertain origin, likely a medieval English variant or diminutive of the Middle English word 'love', used as a nickname or given name. It may also derive from the Old French surname Lovel, itself from 'lou' (wolf) with a diminutive suffix. However, given its rare usage, a direct connection to the English word 'love' is the most straightforward interpretation. It has been in sporadic use since the early 20th century but remains very uncommon.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Love, Lovie

Variants: Lovell, Lovelle

Sibling names for Lovel

Names that share Lovel's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Faith, Grace, Hope, Joy, Rose

Brothers: True, Clem, Hugh, Miles, Reed

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

L is for Lovel, our favorite little boy.

L is for Lovel…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Lovel's letter becomes Lovel's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Lovel's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Lovel mean?
Lovel is of uncertain origin, but it is generally considered to be a variant of Love, meaning 'love' or 'beloved' in English.
How popular is the name Lovel?
Lovel is extremely rare. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1914, peaked that same year, and has seen very few registrations since. In the most recent year, 2025, it did not rank among the top 1000 names.
Is Lovel a boy's name or a girl's name?
Lovel is traditionally used as a boy's name, though it could be considered unisex due to its similarity to the word 'love'.