Names That Mean Beloved

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

Maori form of Mary

Amy and all her sisters and cousins was such a popular name that this version was among the Top 1000 girl names in the US until the mid-90s. Last year only 32 baby girls were names Amie.

Frigg was the wife of Odin in Norse mythology, and may share a common origin with the goddess Freya.

Sometimes used a Dutch diminutive of 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).

Slovene Mia cognate, rarely seen in the US.

The meaning of Maria, from which Maryla is derived, 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 Marianna

An entirely Jewish form of David, with the handsome nickname Dov.

A modern spelling of Jedidiah.

Cerian is a diminutive of Ceri (pronounced like Kerry), which comes from a root meaning "love". Both were relatively popular in Wales in the 1980s and 1990s, though they are used less there today.

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.

Top 100 choice in Italy.

Variant of Annemarie

Marilee is one of the cheeriest – if least substantial – combinations of Mary with another name.

Variant of Maricela

Variant of Marianna

A Gothic name belonging to the wife of Theodemir, a 5th century king of the Ostrogoths, and the mother of Theodoric the Great. The name also belongs to a genus of moths.

An unusual Maria variant which feels chic and tailored.

A rare Finnish name which is used for both sexes, usually in the middle spot.