A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Lovey since 1883
Babies named Lovey per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1925, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lovey's real moment was 1894.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 20 |
| 1890s | 37 |
| 1900s | 62 |
| 1910s | 108 |
| 1920s | 136 |
| 1930s | 91 |
| 1940s | 69 |
| 1950s | 58 |
| 1960s | 33 |
| 1970s | 23 |
| 1980s | 38 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 40 |
| 2010s | 61 |
| 2020s | 78 |
Meaning & origin
Lovey is a rare and affectionate given name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1883. It reached its peak popularity in 1894, during the 1890s revival of vintage nickname names. After declining in the 20th century, it has seen a slight resurgence since 2000, reflecting a modern trend toward old-fashioned and endearing names. In 2025, it ranked 5,554 with a frequency of about 1 in 73,058 births. Lovey has never been among the top 1,000 names in the U.S., maintaining its status as a charming but obscure choice.
Lovey is a diminutive of 'love', originating as an affectionate term of endearment in English. It emerged as a given name in the late 19th century, particularly in the United States, where it was used occasionally for girls. Its usage has been sporadic, with a notable peak in the 1890s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lovie
Variants: Lovie
Sibling names for Lovey
Names that share Lovey's style, for a brother or sister.
