Facebook’s first name for the reaction represented by a red heart was “Love.”
Facebook introduced its Reactions system in February 2016, expanding the original Like button with additional emotional responses. The initial set included Like, Love, Haha, Wow, Sad, and Angry. Love was represented by a red heart and was intended to express stronger affection or appreciation than a simple Like.
The change gave users more ways to respond to posts without requiring a written comment. Facebook tested several possible reactions in different markets before settling on the initial global set.
Reactions are distinct from stickers, comments, and ordinary Likes. Facebook later added the Care reaction in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Care was not part of the original 2016 launch. That timeline is why Love is the correct answer for the first heart reaction.