Find out how popular the first name Love has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Love by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Love is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 90% of people named Love being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 382 female babies and 28 male babies born with the name Love.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 28 baby boys were named Love in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Love

The name Love is believed to have originated from the Old English word "lufu," which means affection or strong feelings of attachment. This name gained popularity during the Middle Ages in England, particularly among the Puritans, who embraced virtue names for their children.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Love is found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript commissioned in 1086 by William the Conqueror, which documented landowners in England. The name Love appeared as a surname in this historical record, suggesting its existence as a given name at the time.

In the 16th century, the name Love gained widespread recognition due to its association with the concept of courtly love, a tradition that celebrated romantic love and chivalry. Poets and writers during this period, such as Edmund Spenser and William Shakespeare, often used the name Love as a symbolic representation of affection and devotion in their works.

One of the earliest known individuals with the given name Love was Love Brewster, born in England in 1611. She was a member of the Puritan Brewster family and immigrated to the Plymouth Colony in America in 1623. Another notable figure was Love Westover, a 17th-century Puritan minister born in England in 1635.

In the 18th century, the name Love gained popularity among the Quakers, who valued simplicity and virtue. One notable Quaker with this name was Love Bonville, born in England in 1743, who became a prominent minister and advocate for abolition and women's rights.

During the 19th century, the name Love experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly in the United States. One famous bearer of this name was Love Jones, born in 1848, a former slave who became a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist in the state of Mississippi.

Another notable individual was Love Maria Woodhouse, born in England in 1857, who was a prominent suffragette and campaigner for women's rights. She was a member of the Women's Social and Political Union and participated in protests and demonstrations for the cause of women's suffrage.

Throughout history, the name Love has been a symbol of affection, devotion, and virtue, reflecting the values and beliefs of various cultures and communities. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to the universal desire for love and the aspirations it represents.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Love was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Love, please contact us.

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