Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Vera
GirlRussian, Latin· “faith”
- Meaning
- faith
- Origin
- Russian, Latin
- Pronunciation
- VEER-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #205
- US babies 2025
- 1,482
- Best rank
- #65 (1915)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Vera
Vera is a Russian and Latin name that means “faith”.
Vera comes from the Russian word vera, meaning faith, and it also echoes the Latin verus, meaning true, so the two senses often travel together. In Russia it was traditionally paired with the names Nadezhda, meaning hope, and Lyubov, meaning love, after early Christian martyrs. Vera spread across Europe and became common in the United States in the early twentieth century. Fashion designer Vera Wang and British singer Vera Lynn are well-known bearers. After decades as a grandmother name, Vera is returning with the vintage revival, admired for its short, strong and elegant sound.
Popularity over time
Vera has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 121 different years. Its best national rank was #65 in 1915, and the most babies received it in 1918, when 3,923 were named Vera. In 2025, 1,482 babies were named Vera, and it ranked #205 nationally. That is 41% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #75 in 1920, #227 in 1950, #933 in 1980, #1,716 in 2000, #673 in 2010, and #205 in 2025. Of the 149,456 US girls named Vera since records began, 22% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 28,289 babies. Since 2010, 17,092 more have been named Vera.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Nellie, Myrtle, Alma, Viola, and Ida.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Vera ranked highest in New Hampshire, Iowa, and Maine.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | #74 | 16 |
| Iowa | #86 | 34 |
| Maine | #115 | 10 |
| Wisconsin | #121 | 43 |
| Minnesota | #129 | 41 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Vera is usually pronounced VEER-uh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with V and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Vera
A few middle names that flow with Vera: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Vera
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Lists that include Vera
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Vera mean?
Vera is a Russian and Latin name that means “faith”.
What is the origin of the name Vera?
Vera has Russian and Latin roots. Vera comes from the Russian word vera, meaning faith, and it also echoes the Latin verus, meaning true, so the two senses often travel together.
Is Vera a popular name?
Yes. Vera ranked #205 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Vera a boy or girl name?
Vera is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Vera?
Vera is usually pronounced VEER-uh. 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