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Vera

♀ Girl

Pronounced VEER-uh /ˈvɪər.ə/High

Meaning: Faith; truth; from Latin vera (true) and Russian/Slavic vera (faith)High

In 30 seconds: A crisp, elegant name meaning both 'truth' in Latin and 'faith' in Russian/Slavic languages. A quiet classic enjoying a strong 21st-century revival alongside other short, purposeful names.
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Origin HighLatin, Slavic, Russian
MeaningFaith; truth; from Latin vera (true) and Russian/Slavic vera (faith)
Peak year1918
Total births (all-time)≈ 138,843

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191818802017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Vera has two distinct but complementary origins: from the Latin vera (feminine of verus, meaning 'true'), and from the Russian and Slavic name Вера (Vera), meaning 'faith.' It was used in both Western Europe and Eastern Europe from the medieval period. The name was introduced to English-speaking countries partly through Russian aristocratic naming conventions.

Vera was popular in the English-speaking world in the early-to-mid 20th century and declined somewhat in the second half. It has been enjoying a strong revival since the 2000s alongside similarly short, elegant vintage names like Nora, Clara, and Iris. It is now in the top 100 U.S. girls' names.

Did you know? The name Vera carries both a Western meaning ('true' in Latin) and an Eastern meaning ('faith' in Russian, Serbian, and other Slavic languages) — making it one of the rare names with built-in cross-cultural depth.

Variations

ViraVerka

Nicknames

V

Famous Bearers

  • ★Vera Lynn (1917–2020)
    British singer and entertainer, known as the 'Forces' Sweetheart' during World War II.
  • ★Vera Wang (b. 1949)
    American fashion designer celebrated for her bridal designs.

If you like Vera…

Nora— two-syllable short vintage classic on the exact same revival wave
Clara— crisp short classic with the same refined European feel
Iris— similarly brief, elegant vintage name enjoying a parallel renaissance

Frequently Asked

What does the name Vera mean?

Vera means 'truth' or 'true' in Latin and 'faith' in Russian and Slavic languages — a rare name with a dual meaning that is universally positive.

How do you pronounce Vera?

Vera is pronounced VEER-uh (/ˈvɪər.ə/) — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Vera a boy or girl name?

Vera is used almost exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Vera?

Vera has been reviving strongly in the 21st century and is now in the U.S. top 100 girls' names.