A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Vera since 1880
Babies named Vera per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Vera's real moment was 1899.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 1,365 |
| 1890s | 6,377 |
| 1900s | 10,457 |
| 1910s | 28,289 |
| 1920s | 32,541 |
| 1930s | 18,023 |
| 1940s | 12,189 |
| 1950s | 11,041 |
| 1960s | 6,032 |
| 1970s | 2,258 |
| 1980s | 1,311 |
| 1990s | 869 |
| 2000s | 1,612 |
| 2010s | 9,052 |
| 2020s | 8,040 |
Meaning & origin
Vera, meaning 'faith' or 'truth,' has a dual heritage from both Slavic and Latin roots. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1880 and reached its peak rank of 30 in 1899, during the 1890s revival of virtue names. After declining for much of the 20th century, Vera has been steadily rising again since 1996, reflecting a broader trend toward vintage names. In 2025, it ranks 205th with 1 in 1,085 girls receiving the name. Its popularity is especially noted in New Hampshire, Maine, and Alaska, where it appears in top state lists. The name's simplicity and cross-cultural resonance contribute to its enduring appeal.
Vera is directly derived from the Russian word ве́ра (vera) meaning 'faith,' adopted as a name in the 19th century alongside the Slavic virtues. It also coincides with the Latin word vera, feminine of verus 'true,' which reinforced its popularity in English-speaking countries. The name saw a revival in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the United States and Britain.
Where Vera is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Vera” around the world
Where Vera lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
New Zealand
20
babies in 2025
Quebec
12
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: V, Vivi
Sibling names for Vera
Names that share Vera's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Nora, June, Mae, Stella, Lena, Alta, Alva, Avis, Beatrice, Candida, Celia, Cora, Dessa, Doretha, Elda, Elora, Elvia, Eulah, Faye, Hattie, Iva, Lana, Larue, Leona, Lorina, Melba, Nedra, Nina, Nita, Nona, Odessa, Palma, Renata, Reta, Roma, Rose, Terra, Theda, Tressa, Treva, Venita, Verla, Wanda, Alida, Arla, Audria, Calia, Carma, Cordia, Corene, Dacia, Dava, Delta, Eda, Edra, Eldora, Ena, Florene, Illa, Jaina, Jovi, Jule, Lavera, Laveta, Leonia, Lera, Mali, Mattea, Oneta, Raena, Reita, Riva, Stasia, Tesla, Valda, Vella, Velva, Vena, Vernia, Veta, Viva, Zona, Zoya, Aleda, Alvia, Alvira, Anora, Arma, Arva, Beula, Bula, Chessa, Coni, Dallie, Daphna, Dartha, Dema, Desma, Dola, Dorla, Elese, Elita, Erza, Estes, Herma, Iantha, Iridian, Izola, Jera, Leetta, Leitha, Letta, Lorane, Luba, Lurene, Mertis, Milca, Nadina, Nastassia, Neita, Novie, Omni, Opha, Orma, Prisca, Rada, Reeda, Rema, Renia, Seline, Senia, Signa, Silva, Sydell, Sylva, Tava, Thera, Tomara, Tonna, Valli, Valma, Valora, Venna, Verlee, Versa, Vila, Villa, Vona, Vonna, Wanza, Yides, Yola, Zela, Zelia, Zonia, Alexas, Anelia, Arora, Athea, Blyss, Chara, Clela, Conda, Corinda, Eldean, Elesa, Ellon, Elyna, Esti, Evamae, Evva, Ica, Iline, Inetta, Isel, Kalyna, Klaira, Kova, Lauria, Linnaea, Liona, Ludmila, Ludmilla, Luxe, Marca, Mirra, Modell, Netha, Norina, Novia, Philis, Quorra, Rilda, Sofya, Teckla, Vala, Valera, Valla, Vayla, Veneda, Veria, Verina, Vici, Virna, Vita, Zeda, Zilla, Zorina, Cloria, Icis, Sylina, Beva, Bona, Catha, Cele, Cella, Clova, Clovia, Corita, Creta, Daphyne, Eldena, Elga, Eltha, Elveta, Envi, Ercie, Ermie, Eulla, Gayna, Gera, Ileta, Lada, Lavra, Linea, Marren, Mava, Mertha, Nadezhda, Nary, Navee, Nesa, Novis, Odester, Oreta, Phala, Prima, Rebie, Rhena, Sible, Stana, Sydna, Thiana, Ulyana, Uva, Valine, Vear, Veida, Veleka, Velina, Venda, Venida, Veona, Veretta, Vergene, Verita, Vernica, Versia, Wilba, Xenovia
Brothers: Felix, Oscar, Hugo, Leo, Arthur, Antron, Burt, Cass, Chet, Floyd, Lavern, Leander, Lemar, Marland, Marvel, Monte, Myron, Otto, Rex, Rio, Rufus, Sid, Thurman, Val, Valen, Van, Wilton, Arnett, Ennis, Ether, Foy, Harland, Kemp, Landis, Len, Levin, Lonzo, Malvin, Monta, Obie, Osmar, Pavel, Rommel, Sylus, Tytus, Urban, Verl, Verle, Vic, Vinson, Welton, Windell, Yerik, Alban, Almer, Alvan, Alven, Andon, Avel, Azel, Bane, Belvin, Byrl, Carvel, Christo, Cleven, Curren, Cylis, Cylus, Doyne, Duan, Elmon, Ewing, Gaither, Garlan, Harrel, Homar, Iann, Kern, Kort, Lendon, Lindon, Lysle, Malvern, Medford, Metro, Miloh, Morey, Morrell, Norvel, Olden, Olvin, Orvin, Ovie, Quint, Sabin, Tevis, Tolbert, Udell, Vandy, Venson, Vernis, Veron, Vertis, Vinton, Aeon, Alvey, Anival, Armias, Arvell, Arwin, Avid, Burdell, Caliber, Dalbert, Delmore, Denney, Derico, Devian, Dorean, Duwan, Duward, Elver, Escher, Ferman, Fermon, Garnie, Granvil, Hewitt, Huel, Isiac, Jarvin, Julis, Klyde, Lamount, Lanis, Lealand, Leanord, Leeman, Leven, Loc, Luby, Merik, Merrel, Odel, Ohm, Orel, Osker, Ranson, Rollen, Saveon, Silus, Solan, Theran, Tilton, Tison, Traves, Trueman, Valton, Verdis, Vermon, Vernel, Vin, Waino, Welby, Wilver, Xylo, Xylon, Zarius, Cas, Colburn, Hulan, Leavy, Aarvik, Aerion, Alroy, Alver, Axil, Burman, Byford, Calbert, Carnie, Chevis, Clarion, Claron, Cray, Dodd, Donat, Doren, Elster, Elvan, Euro, Evart, Fairley, Felis, Ferron, Hoyte, Hurshell, Hy, Janus, Kanton, Kelven, Kenaz, Lavin, Leonidus, Levan, Lister, Livan, Loyed, Mavin, Miking, Millan, Narvel, Nivin, Nolton, Normal, Odas, Ordean, Orvan, Orvie, Pax, Rayman, Rev, Roddie, Savva, Selso, Sonder, Syir, Talvin, Tildon, Toben, Treu, Ulus, Valin, Vick, Vinal, Voyd, Vue, Xai, Zeph, Zeplin, Zerick, Zeven
Names like Vera
Names whose popularity has moved with Vera's over the last 50 years.
