Names That Mean Beloved

An outdated feminine form of David sometimes heard in the UK, though Davina is more usual..

One of the most classic smoosh names around, and very international, too.

Variant of Marise

Contracted form of Leofric, which would make an intriguing addition to the modern lexicon of Leo names.

An uncommon variant of the classic name David that was brought to the fore by actor and rapper Daveed Diggs, one of the original stars of "Hamilton" on Broadway. He has said that his parents chose that spelling because his dad "liked the look of it."

Whether you pronounce it like the original Amy or the Frenchified Ay-may, this form adds considerable elan to an old favorite.

Thandi can be used independently or as a nickname for one of the Thand- starting names such as Thandeka or Thandiwe.

Marybeth, something written like this as one word and sometimes as Mary Beth, is one of those compound versions of Mary popular in the midcentury US. Parents were trying to move away from plain old Mary, long the #1 girls' name, but not too far away. Marybeth is one of the most classic combinations, pairing Mary with the also-long-popular Elizabeth. About 400 baby girls were named Marybeth every year at its peak in the mid-1960s; today, it's fewer than 20.

An undiscovered surname option that resembles the trendy choice Everett and boasts the stylish nickname Levi.

A pretty smoosh name predominantly used by Italian Catholics.

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).

An attractive and worldly name for a cherished baby son.

As the French Esme becomes more popular, it will inevitably spawn spelling variations. This one, like Zoey or Layla, clarifies pronunciation, so while we prefer the original, that's not a bad thing.

Homophonous with Masha, the Russian nickname for Maria.

A striking form of international favourite Maria, 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).

Rather dated smoosh name.

Amatus is an ancient Roman name in the "Ama" family of names whose meanings relate to love -- they range from Amy to Amity to Amias to Amoret and Amatus.

Variant of Marianne

Popular in Hawaii in the first decades of the 20th century, this name also means "rock" in Māori.

Variant of Annemarie