Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Veda
GirlSanskrit· “knowledge”
- Meaning
- knowledge
- Origin
- Sanskrit
- Pronunciation
- VAY-duh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #739
- US babies 2025
- 370
- Best rank
- #415 (1899)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Veda
Veda is a Sanskrit name that means “knowledge”.
In Sanskrit, veda means "knowledge," and it is the name given to the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, the four Vedas. As a given name, Veda is used in India and among Indian families worldwide, carrying a sense of wisdom and learning. Separately, Veda was also used as a girl's name in the United States around the turn of the twentieth century, which gives it a second, vintage identity. That double history lets it feel both ancient and old-fashioned in a charming way. It is short, easy to spell, and pairs well with longer middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Vayda.
Popularity over time
Veda first appears in US Social Security records in 1881. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 87 different years, starting in 1881. Its best national rank was #415 in 1899, and the most babies received it in 2024, when 410 were named Veda. In 2025, 370 babies were named Veda, and it ranked #739 nationally. That is 28% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #498 in 1920, #908 in 1950, #3,409 in 1980, #2,541 in 2000, #1,467 in 2010, and #739 in 2025. Of the 14,071 US girls named Veda since records began, 18% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 2,031 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Rowyn, Romy, Wrenleigh, Rosalina, and Lakelyn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Veda ranked highest in Iowa, New Jersey, and Michigan.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | #386 | 9 |
| New Jersey | #403 | 20 |
| Michigan | #422 | 21 |
| Washington | #476 | 15 |
| Kentucky | #567 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Veda is usually pronounced VAY-duh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with V and ends in “-da”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Vayda.
Middle names for Veda
A few middle names that flow with Veda: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Veda
Similar names
Zelda Girl
ZEHL-duh
“short form of Griselda” · Germanic
#832
Vada Girl
VAY-duh
#886
Lila Girl
LY-luh
“play (Sanskrit); night (Arabic)” · Sanskrit
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Arya Girl
AHR-yuh
“noble” · Sanskrit
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Jada Girl
JAY-duh
American (modern coinage)
#1,201
Ada Girl
AY-duh
“noble” · Germanic
#219
Kali Girl
KAH-lee
“the black one” · Sanskrit
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Jayda Girl
JAY-duh
“modern variant of Jada” · American (modern coinage)
#1,214
Alaya Girl
uh-LAY-uh
“uncertain; possibly Sanskrit for abode” · American (modern coinage)
#368
Linda Girl
LIHN-duh
“pretty (Spanish); from Germanic names” · Germanic
#902
Ariya Girl
AR-ee-uh
“variant of Aria; possibly noble” · American (modern coinage)
#615
Frida Girl
FREE-duh
“peace” · German
#1,565
Lists that include Veda
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Veda mean?
Veda is a Sanskrit name that means “knowledge”.
What is the origin of the name Veda?
Veda has Sanskrit roots. In Sanskrit, veda means "knowledge," and it is the name given to the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, the four Vedas.
Is Veda a popular name?
Yes. Veda ranked #739 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Veda a boy or girl name?
Veda is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Veda?
Veda is usually pronounced VAY-duh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings