I love February! It’s a short, sweet month full of Valentine’s, Chinese New Year and pancake day for those who celebrate!
If your baby is due in February, you will also love this month, and might want to take inspiration from St Valentine’s when it comes to naming your new person.
With that in mind we’ve found lots of girls, boys and gender-neutral names we love, that are all linked to love.
Take a look and let us know which names pull on your heart strings by emailing lucindakate@namebabyname.com
We love your contributions, and so do our #Babynamers community members!
Mabel:
An English name meaning “lovable”, Mabel combines vintage charm with enduring appeal. Once a darling of the late 19th century, it fell out of favour in the 1960s but regained popularity from 2013 and has been gaining popularity ever since, most recently rated #312 for most popular girls names in the US.
Cara:
Derived from Latin, Cara means “beloved”, “darling” or “loved one” which we think is just adorable. The alternative spelling Kara comes from the Cornish kara which literally means “love”. It is also popular in Ireland – where cara is the word for “friend”, and we think it’s a timeless choice.
Rose:
Derived from the Latin rosa, Rose is a popular symbol of love and beauty. For a baby girl, It’s a timeless and classic choice, evoking the elegance and fragrance of the flower.
Aphrodite:
The Greek goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite literally means “risen from the foam” or to put it better, “born from the sea”.
Esme:
Of Persian or French origin, Esme or Esmé means “esteemed” or “loved”. It’s a name that combines a vintage feel with modern sophistication and is back in favour following the Twilight series.
Freya:
The Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, Freya is a name that means “noble woman”. It first entered the US Top 1000 girls’ names in 2013 and has been trending upwards ever since, most recently reaching #129, however it has long been popular in Europe, especially England and Wales.
Nayeli:
A Native American name meaning “I love you”, Nayeli comes from the Zapotec people in southwestern Mexico. We thought this was a rare name, but it actually reached #337 in the Top 1000 girls names in the US in 2022. We can see why as we think it’s gorgeous!
Kerensa:
A Cornish name meaning “love”, Kerensa is unique and melodious with an adorable meaning making it perfect for a cherished February baby.
Dua:
With Arabic origins, Dua means “prayer” or in Slavic “love” and has been made popular by British Albanian singer songwriter Dua Lipa who has won three Grammy Awards.
Corazon:
A Spanish name meaning “heart”, Corazon is a warm and distinctive name which gained prominence through Corazon Aquino, the Philippines’ first female president.
Amanda:
A Latin name meaning “loveable” or “worthy of love”, Amanda saw a surge in popularity in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, reaching the top 5 in the US girls’ name charts between 1979 and 1992. Having lost some traction in the last 30 years, it is still well inside the top 500, most recently at #463.
Carina:
A name of Latin origin, Carina means “dear little one” or “beloved”. It’s also associated with the constellation in the southern sky so could be perfect for your little star.
Ruby:
A gemstone name, Ruby is unmistakably linked to love and the heart through its vivid red colour. Taken from the Latin word ruber meaning “red” Ruby has vintage charm as well as modern appeal, not least because of the Kaiser Chiefs’ song! It has followed the 100 year rule, having been popular in the 1900s and again from the 2000s and its popularity continues to grow.
Lovella:
A modern creation, meaning “love” or “wolf” depending on who you speak to, Lovella is a heartwarming choice for a longed-for February baby girl.
Myfanwy:
A Welsh name meaning “my lovely little one”, Myfanwy is distinct and melodious sounding, although we appreciate the spelling might not be for everyone!
Philomena:
A Greek name meaning “loved one” or “lover of strength”, Philomena has a rich historical background, often associated with the 3rd-century saint known for her virtue and courage.
Amada:
Spanish for “loved” or “loveable”, Amada is a beautiful and unusual name that has gained some notoriety after Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes named their daughters Esmeralda Amada and Amada Lee after Eva’s grandmother, Amada.
Amy:
A French name meaning “beloved”, Amy or Aimee conveys affection and charm. It enjoyed peak popularity in the 1970s but remains a favorite for its simplicity and sweet sound.
Fleur:
French for “flower”, Fleur is a name that captures the beauty and delicacy of nature, and we think will be appreciated just as much as the gift of flowers.
Prema:
Sanskrit for “love”, Prema is a name that’s popular in Indian communities. It also sounds like the Latin word prima, meaning first so we think could be perfect for your first baby or your first daughter.
Kalila:
Of Arabic origin, Kalila means “beloved” or “sweetheart”. It’s uncommon but we think just gorgeous!
Suki:
A Japanese name meaning “beloved”, Suki is a sweet and popular choice.
Yaretzi:
Of Native American origin, Yaretzi means “you will always be loved” which is a promise we like to think all parents will make to their new baby girls! It’s a name especially popular in Mexico and with Latino and Hispanic families, and while its popularity peaked in 2012, it’s still riding high in the Top 1000 girls’ names in the US at #489.
Cordelia:
Of Latin and Celtic origin, Cordelia means “heart” or “daughter of the sea”. Known for its literary association with Shakespeare’s “King Lear”, we think Cordelia offers classic beauty.
Scarlett:
The deep red color, Scarlett is a bold choice that conveys passion and energy. First made famous by Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind in 1939, it has increased in popularity of late with inspiration from the acclaimed actress, Ms Johansson. It has been in the top 1000 US girls’ names consistently since 1992, peaking at number 14 in 2022.
Valentina:
A Latin name meaning “strong” or “healthy”, Valentina is the feminine form of Valentine and a gorgeous choice for February girls. Chosen by actress Salma Hayek for her daughter Valentina Paloma, it also appears on our Space-inspired baby names list as it was the name of the first woman in space. Since 2017, Valentina has been a top 100 choice in the US charting at #56 in 2022.
Cerys:
From the Welsh word caru meaning “to love”, Cerys is a distinct and warm choice, popular in the UK and made famous by the founding member of the Welsh rock band Catatonia, Cerys Matthews.
Davina:
A feminine form of David, Davina means “beloved” in Hebrew. Having fallen out of the Top 1000 US names in 1988, it has been gaining popularity since 2016 and peaked in 2022 at #563. In the UK, TV presenter and fitness fanatic Davina McCall has brought it to life.
Amora:
Spanish for “love”, Amora first entered the US name charts in 2017, debuting at an impressive #698 and most recently charting at #373. It is also the first name of Marvel character, The Enchantress.
Libi:
A modern Jewish name, Libi is derived from “libbot” – the plural of the Hebrew word “lev” meaning heart.
Venus:
Named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty, Venus is a Latin name which we think is both bold and romantic. While traditionally it brought to mind thoughts of the planet – like these other space-inspired baby names – these days it is perhaps more commonly associated with the legendary, record-breaking tennis player, Ms Williams.
Juliet:
Immortalized by Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, this English name means “youthful”. Juliet or Juliette symbolizes romance, passion, and timeless beauty. It has consistently made the Top 300 US girls’ names since 2010 and features in our fantastic list of girls names that begin with J.
Adelpha:
Greek for “beloved sister”, we think Adelpha is a distinctive and gorgeous choice for a second or third baby.
Nazanin:
Persian for “sweetheart” or “beloved”, Nazanin is popular across the Middle East and Central Asia.
Cariad:
A Welsh word meaning “love”, Cariad is an uncommon name but one with a strong sound and rich meaning that can be shortened to the lovely Carrie. Unsurprisingly, this name is most popular in Wales where it typically features in the top 200 choices for girls.
Amoris:
Latin for “love”, Amoris could be a unique and romantic choice for a baby girl born in February.
Philou:
Of Greek or French origin, Philou means “loving” or “loved one” and is a popular girls’ name in the Netherlands.
Luba:
A Slavic name meaning “love”, we think Luba is a strong choice for a girl as the name will grow with her.
Carwen:
Derived from Welsh, meaning “fair and loved”, Carwen is the feminine version of the boys’ version Carwyn.
Amandine:
A French derivative of Amanda, Amandine means “worthy of love” and is most popular in France.
Carita:
Of Latin origin, Carita means “dear” or “beloved”. Popular across Scandinavia, it can also be written as Karita, Caritas or Karitas.
Mabel:
An English name meaning “lovable”, Mabel has vintage charm as well as modern appeal. It returned to the Top 1000 in 2013 after a 49-year absence, and has been trending upawards ever since, peaking in 2022 at #312.
Angharad:
A unique Welsh name, Angharad means “much loved” and it has strong links to Welsh royalty and history.
Dulcie:
Derived from the Latin “dulcis” meaning “sweet”, Dulcie is also the Spanish word for candy. It’s especially popular in Australia.
Priya:
A Sanskrit name meaning “beloved”, Priya is widely used in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Thailand and Sri Lanka. It can also be spelt Pria.
Cheri:
French for “darling”, Cheri is considered as a variation of Cher or possibly Cheryl, and in our mind will always be linked to the popular Stevie Wonder song, My Cherie Amour.
Juji:
Of African origin, the gorgeous Juji means “one who is greatly loved” or “heap of love”, which we think is perfect for a baby girl born in February!
Neha:
A popular Sanskrit name meaning “love”, Neha is also sometimes translated to mean “beautiful eyes” – both meanings perfect for a cherished baby girl.
Milada:
Czech for “my love”, we think Milada is a melodic name with an adorable meaning, with lovely nickname options too of Millie and Lada.
29 Boys names linked to love
David:
Of Hebrew origin, David means “beloved”. It’s a timeless name with biblical significance and enduring popularity across countries and cultures. As well as stories of King David and David and Goliath, The Star of David is the symbol of Judaism and St David is the patron saint of Wales. David hit the top of the US charts in 1960 as the #1 most popular name given to boys, and still sits at a respectable #31 today.
Romeo:
Shakespeare ensured the name Romeo is synonymous with romance and passion. Of Italian origin, it conveys a strong sense of love and dramatic flair. It was also chosen by David and Victoria Beckham for their second son.
Amadeus:
Latin for “love of God”, Amadeus is famously associated with composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Lennan:
An Irish name meaning “lover” or “sweetheart”, Lennan is distinctive and offers a blend of softness and strength.
Sajan:
Of Indian origin, Sajan means “loved one” and is a name that carries warmth and affection.
Valentino:
An Italian name meaning “strong, healthy”, Valentino is the ultimate romantic name and perfect for a February baby boy.
Teddy:
Often a nickname for Edward or Theodore, Teddy means “gift of God” or “wealthy protector”, but we thought we’d include it in our love list as it’s adorable and everyone loves a Teddy!
Amias:
Of Latin origin, Amias means “loved” and this name is certainly becoming more and more loved! It first entered the US Top 1000 boys’ names in 2019, peaked in 2020 at #699 and most recently charted at #805.
Obi:
A name of African origin, Obi typically means “heart”. It’s a short and vibrant name and one which in popular culture at least, is often followed by -Wan Kenobi because of Star Wars. We think it sounds much better on its own!
Davis:
A variant of David, Davis also means “beloved” and “son of David” so could provide some variation for a family keen to pass down a naming tradition between generations. And it’s not as unusual as you might think, currently charting at #631 in the Top 1000 boys names in the US.
Corwin:
Of English origin, Corwin means “heart’s friend” or “companion” and we think is a name that’s wonderfully unusual as well as memorable. It last appeared in the US Top 1000 in 1988… but only just at #986!
Aziz:
Arabic for “beloved”, “respected” and “powerful”, Aziz is a name that conveys strength and esteem. It is also one of the 99 names of Allah.
Didier:
A French name derived from Disius and Desiderius, meaning “desired” or “longed for” and popular in France, we think Didier carries an air of sophistication and charm.
Archer:
Of French, Latin and English origins, Archer means bowman and is symbolic of Cupid, the god of love, attraction and affection.
Hart:
An English name meaning “stag” or “strong, brave”, Hart is simple and strong and we think a fabulous choice for a February baby boy.
Erasmus:
Derived from the Greek word erasmios meaning “beloved”, Erasmus carries a legacy of learning as it’s famously associated with the Dutch philosopher Desiderius Erasmus.
Lev:
A name of Russian origin, Lev means “lion”. It embodies strength and courage, with a concise and powerful impact. Lev is a popular choice in Russia and among Hebrew-speaking communities, appealing for its symbolic representation of bravery.
Eros:
Named after the Greek god of love, Eros means “desire” and a popular choice for baby boys in Italy.
Carwyn:
A Welsh name, Carwyn means “loved and blessed” which we think is a gorgeous message for any baby boy.
Darrell:
Of English origin, Darrell means “darling” or “dearly loved” and while it’s popularity has diminished since its heyday in the 1960s and 1970s, it consistently appeared in the US Top 1000 charts for 100 years, only falling out in 2017.
Jedidiah:
Hebrew for “beloved of the Lord”, Jedidiah is a name with biblical roots as the middle name given to King Solomon and a popular choice as it regularly features in the US Top 1000 chart, most recently at #808. While Jed would be the most obvious short form version, there is also potential for a trendy, space-inspired nickname with Jedi!
Philo:
Of Greek origin, Philo means “love” or “friend” and is a name associated with Philo of Alexandria, a philosopher who sought to bridge the gap between Jewish and Greek thinking.
Thaddeus:
A name of Aramaic origin, Thaddeus means “heart” and is also linked to “courage”. In the bible Thaddeus was one of the Twelve Apostles. The name has regularly featured in the US Top 1000 chart, most recently at #807.
Agapius:
Derived from the Greek word “agape”, meaning “love” and “affection”, Agapius is an unusual name with a gorgeous meaning.
Caradoc:
Of Welsh origin, Caradoc means “amiable, beloved” and was the name of one of the Knights of the Round Table. It is also spelt Caradog.
Anteros:
In Greek mythology, Anteros was the god of requited love, embodying the concept of mutual affection and so the name means “mutual love”. We think this is a gorgeous idea! He was also the son of Ares and Aphrodite, and brother to Eros.
Lubomir:
A name with Slavic roots, Lubomir combines Polish elements meaning “love” and “peace” making it a distinctive and meaningful choice.
Euston:
An Irish name meaning “heart”, Euston is also a popular train station in central London. It’s a strong option with a powerful meaning, but in America could get confused with Houston.
Howard:
Of German or French origin depending on who you speak to, Howard means “brave heart” or “high guardian” and was a regular in the Top 50 US boys’ names until the 1940s. Its popularity has dwindled since but it’s still holding on to the Top 1000, most recently at #940.
11 gender neutral names linked to love
Love:
A name that needs no translation, Love is a bold and beautiful choice for a girl or boy. It actually re-entered the Top 1000 girls’ names in the US in 2022 for the first time in more than 100 years, appearing at #754. In Europe, the boys’ name Love is often said loov-eh.
Valentine:
Derived from the Latin “Valentinus,” meaning “strong, healthy,” Valentine is synonymous with love and romance, and global celebrations each year on February 14th.
Amor:
A French name that translates to “love”, Amor was the Roman god of love, equivalent to the Greek Eros and we have heard this being used for boys and girls. We love both!
Daryl:
A name with French and English origins, it is said to mean “darling” or dearly loved”. We think Daryl has a timeless quality and know both boys and girls with this name, sometimes with spelling variations including Darryl. Actress Darryl Hannah made the name famous in the 1980s, but it has traditionally made the Top 1000 boys’ names in the US, most recently in 2005 at #946.
Aiko:
A popular Japanese name, Aiko means “child of love” or “beloved child” and we think could be trending upwards in the US.
Angel:
Derived from the Greek “angelos” meaning “messenger”, Angel is a statement of love with universal appeal across cultures. It is particularly popular in the US and Spain. For baby girls, it charted in the US Top 300 consistently from 1970-2015 and while its popularity is falling, it still features at #521. For baby boys, the name is enjoying a resurgence and has featured in the Top 100 names every year since 1997, most recently charting at #62.
Kendi:
An African name meaning “the loved one” we think Kendi is a charming choice for girls and boys and one that easily crosses cultural boundaries.
Dilan:
A variation of Dylan, Dilan has Welsh roots meaning “son of the sea,” but in Kurdish, it means “love” and we think works well for boys and girls.
Connelly:
Of Irish origin, Connelly means “love and friendship” and we think is a melodic option that suits all genders.
Tyas:
Of Indonesian origin, Tyas means “a gift of love” and we think it’s a unique and stand-out gender-neutral choice that will prove popular with modern parents.
Femi:
Of African origin meaning “love me”, Femi is most often a shortened form of Olufemi which means “the Lord loves me” and is especially popular in Nigeria and Jamaica.
