Love: Baby Name Meaning, Nicknames and Numerology

What does the baby name “Love” mean?

Love is a luminous baby name of Old Norse origin, a Scandinavian short form of the ancient Germanic name Ludvig, carrying both the timeless warmth of its English meaning and roots that stretch deep into Viking-age tradition.

Origin of the baby name Love

Love as a given name comes primarily from the Old Norse tradition, where it developed as a short form of Ludvig, itself from the Old High German "Hlodwig," combining "hlud" meaning fame and "wig" meaning warrior. The Scandinavian name Love belongs to the same vast name family as Louis in French, Ludwig in German, Loeiz in Breton, and Lovre in Croatian. Its use in English also draws on the emotional power of the word itself, making it a rare name with both etymological depth and immediate resonance.

Baby Love: The Idealist →

History of the baby name “Love”

Love has been in use as a given name in Scandinavia for many centuries, particularly in Sweden, where it has remained a quiet but consistent masculine choice. In English-speaking countries, its use as a vocabulary or word name began gaining traction through the 20th century, especially as parents grew bolder with expressive and meaningful name choices. Its unisex use in English reflects both its Scandinavian masculine roots and its undeniable emotional appeal across genders.

Why parents choose the baby name “Love”

Love is a name that arrives with its meaning built in, and that is a rare and beautiful thing. Parents who choose it are making a statement about warmth, connection, and the values they want their child to carry. It is short and strong, impossible to forget, and it wears equally well on a boy or a girl. Few names are this simultaneously bold and tender.

Nicknames for the Baby Name “Love”

Lov, Lovy, Lovin, Lovkin, Lovster, Loverino, Lovinator

Nicknames from Around the World for the Baby Name “Love”

Terms of endearment for a baby name work differently around the world. Some cultures clip the name short, while others add an affectionate ending that can make it longer instead. Here is how the baby name Love might sound as a nickname in a few other languages and dialects.

Australian:

Lovo, Lozza

British:

Lovs

German:

Lovchen

Irish:

Loveen

Italian:

Lovetto

Spanish:

Lovito

Variations on the baby name “Love”

Lova is the traditional Scandinavian feminine form. The broader name family includes Louis in French, Luis in Spanish, Ludwig in German, Loeiz in Breton, and Lovre in Croatian, all tracing back to the same Germanic root. In Scandinavia, Love and Lova are sometimes paired as sibling names, keeping the family connection clear.

Related forms