Love

Virtue names have been popular among girls for centuries. There's timeless Grace, Hope, and Charity as well as antiques such as Patience, Mercy, and Prudence. Yet, there are also virtue names that are more out-there. Love is one such name. 

Love is a word name that came from the Old English "lufu". It connects to one of the three daughters of St. Sophia of Rome, who was martyred with her sisters during the reign of Hadrian. Love also ranked in the top 1000 for girls a few times before 1900. The name has history for boys as well; it was in the boys' top 1000 multiple times before 1910.

Some people don't think Love is usable as a first name because the word is used too often in everyday language. However, it's the same thing with Hope. Thus, if Hope can be a given name, why not Love? Besides, Love comes from a word with positive connotations. Alongside having history, Love is more common for girls now than ever before. Perhaps it entered the top 1000 for the first time in 2022. Thomas Rhett and Lauren Atkin's daughter Lennon Love may have influenced that rise.

As a given name, Love won't be for everyone. However, adventurous parents should definitely consider using it. 

STYLES:

Compact, Virtuous

SISTERS:

Honey, Blossom, Rainbow, Peace, Eternity, Dream, Imagine, Moon

BROTHERS:

Truth, Indigo, Amen, Frost, Royal, Legend, Cloud, Sincere

ALTERNATIVES:

Blythe, Ever, Heart, Lake, Loyalty, Neve, Shine, Vale

FURTHER RESOURCES:

"Love." Names, Behind the Name, 22 Jan. 2019, https://www.behindthename.com/name/love-2. 

Rosenkrantz, Linda. "Love." Names, Nameberry, 16 Oct.       2023, https://nameberry.com/babyname/love/girl. 

What do you think about Love? Do you think it's usable as a first name?

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