Vera

What does Vera mean?

Vera carries a clear, simple meaning tied to ideas of trust and truth. In Slavic languages Vera comes from вера, meaning faith, while the Latin word verus means true. Both senses give the name a moral, steady quality.

The name feels compact and assured. It is at once vintage and current, often associated with a calm confidence rather than flamboyance. Parents hear in Vera a virtue name that is elegant without being fussy, and it pairs well with both traditional and more modern surnames.

Historical Context

Vera has a layered history. In Slavic languages the word вера directly means faith, and the name has been used in Eastern Europe for many centuries. It is also linked in meaning to the Latin verus, meaning true, so the same short form appeals in several linguistic traditions.

The name travelled west during the 19th and early 20th centuries and became established in English speaking countries. It was popular in Victorian and Edwardian Britain and has enjoyed periodic revivals since. In Russian and other Slavic traditions Vera appears in church lists and in popular usage. The convergence of Slavic and Latin meanings helps explain why Vera feels familiar in many cultures, even when family histories differ.

Popularity of Vera over time

In 2025, Vera was given to 51 girls in the UK and 1,482 girls in the US. Vera has risen sharply over the last 20 years, and is now a well-used girls' name especially in the US.

What do parents think of Vera?