Names That Mean Beloved

American photographer Dawoud Bey has increased interest in his uncommon spelling of the name Dawud — the Arabic variation of David.

Variant of Marilyn

Variant of Annemarie

Moana may be the best-known South Sea Islander name thanks to Disney. This puts a male spin on the appealing nature name.

Karitas -- with an accent over the i -- is among the Icelandic Top 100 names, a version of the Scandinavian Carita which is itself a spin on Charity. An intriguing and unique name with a beautiful meaning.

Cute but substantial short form, deriving from Maria. The meaning of Maria is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

The meaning of Mary is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

Variant of Marissa

Variant of Annamarie

An unusual smoosh name that doesn't look set to rise up the rankings any time soon. It's more popularly found as Marilyn.

Derived from Marie, the meaning of which is uncertain. Theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

Variant of Marilyn

Davit, a form of the biblical classic David, is currently the most popular name for baby boys in Armenia.

A unisex name used in Nahuatl culture in Mexico and Central America.

This modern Hebrew name has a great meaning and is trending upwards.

A cognate of the Finnish unisex name Lemmitty, although Lembit is only used as a masculine name. Famous bearers include a 13th century king and military leader, and British former MP Lembit Opik.

Strong and memorable.

A common full form of Thandi or Thandie.

Variant of Miriam