Names That Mean Beloved

In Slovenia, Maca is more common as an independent name than its parent name Marija.

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).

Once exclusively male name, Daryl Hannah made the Darrell spelling just as appropriate for girls -- and maybe even more feminine than masculine these days.

Variant of Marybeth

Variant of Miriam

Homely compound name which may be written as one word, two words (Mary Louise), or hyphenated (Mary-Louise).

Dariela may have a not-quite-authentic provenance, but it's a pretty name and an unusual choice in the girly Isabella-Gabriella group.

Rather dated smoosh name.

Variant of Marianna

Carita may feel like an endearing nickname but it's a name in its own right, used throughout Scandinavia in this form and as Karita, Caritas, and Karitas as a variation on Charity.

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.

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

Homophonous with Masha, the Russian nickname for Maria.

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.

An ancient name belonging to several medieval English clergymen, also spelt Leofwin or Leobwin.

An unusual Maria variant which feels chic and tailored.

An outdated feminine form of David sometimes heard in the UK, though Davina is more usual..

Variant of Annemarie

An elaboration of Marisa, a combination of Maria and Louisa. 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).

Variant of Maria