Cherish

Meaning of Cherish

Cherish is an English word-name, drawn straight from the gentle verb that means “to treasure and hold dear,” itself rooted in Old French “cherir” and the Latin “carus,” “beloved.” First spotted on birth certificates in the late 19th-century wave of virtue names, Cherish carries the same hopeful glow as Grace, Faith, and Joy, yet feels a touch more modern and lyrical. In wedding vows it promises lifelong devotion, in pop culture it hums through love songs by Madonna and Kool & The Gang, and in everyday conversation it’s a soft reminder to savor what matters. Though never a chart-topper, Cherish has hovered steadily in the U.S. Top 1,000 since the 1970s, giving parents the sweet spot of familiarity without overuse. All told, it’s a name that wraps a baby girl in warmth from day one and encourages her—quite literally—to be loved and to love in return.