Cove Unisex

Popularity: #767 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KOHV //koʊv//

Origin: English; Gaelic

Meaning: English: small harbor; Gaelic: a place of safety

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Cove has its roots in the Old English word "cofa," which means "shelter" or "cove." This term was used to describe a small, sheltered bay or inlet, reflecting a geographical feature that was significant in early English settlements. The transition of the term into a proper name likely occurred during the medieval period, as surnames began to evolve from descriptive terms related to nature and geography.

The name Cove entered the English lexicon as a surname before being adopted as a given name, particularly in the context of English-speaking cultures. Historically, the use of Cove as a name can be traced back to the late Middle Ages, although specific instances are sparse.

The name does not appear prominently in historical texts or records until more recent centuries, as it was likely overshadowed by more common names. However, the association with natural features may have contributed to its use in various localities, particularly in coastal regions where coves were prevalent.

The name's geographical significance resonates with the English tradition of naming children after natural elements, a practice that has deep roots in the culture. Culturally, the name Cove evokes imagery of tranquility and protection, aligning with its literal meaning of a sheltered space.

This connection to nature and the sea may have contributed to its appeal in literature and art, where such themes are often explored. Although not widely documented in historical texts, the name's simplicity and connection to the landscape may have allowed it to endure in various forms, including as a diminutive or variant in local dialects.

Overall, Cove represents a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural significance, rooted in the natural world.

Fictional characters named Cove

The following list of fictional characters named Cove is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Cove is a fictional character from the visual novel and game Our Life: Beginnings & Always. They are a central character who players can develop a relationship with throughout the story.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Cove, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Cove was first seen in the United States in 1997.

Cove has ranked as high as #1814 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in California, Utah, Texas, Florida, and Tennessee.

In the past 5 years the name Cove has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Cove is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Cove was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Cove.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 271 171 100
2024 249 168 81
2023 239 145 94
2022 216 136 80
2021 112 72 40
2020 99 72 27
2019 98 83 15
2018 67 58 9
2017 59 51 8
2016 51 44 7
2015 58 53 5
2014 28 22 6
2013 28 28 0
2012 28 28 0
2011 19 19 0
2010 16 16 0
2009 11 11 0
2008 15 15 0
2007 5 5 0
2006 5 5 0
2004 7 7 0
2003 5 5 0
2001 5 5 0
1997 5 5 0

Top States for Cove (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 22
16%
TX 21
15%
FL 17
12%
UT 15
11%
GA 12
9%
NC 11
8%
IN 7
5%
TN 7
5%
WA 7
5%
OH 6
4%
OK 6
4%
AR 6
4%