Meaning & History
Věra is a Czech female given name, the local form of Vera. While the Czech name mirrors the meaning of its Russian counterpart—where Vera means "faith"—it is also sometimes associated with the Latin word verus meaning "true."
Etymology and Origin
The name Věra shares its roots with the Russian Vera, derived from the word for "faith." In the Czech Republic, the spelling with a háček (ˇ) over the 'e' distinguishes it, and the pronunciation is [ˈvjɛra]. The name was adopted into Czech usage, likely influenced by the popularity of Slavic names with positive virtues. It has been in general use in the English-speaking world since the late 19th century, often through the simplified spelling Vera.
Notable Bearers
One of the most prominent figures bearing this name was Věra Chytilová, a renowned Czech film director of the 20th century. Other notable bearers include Věra Čáslavská, a legendary Czech gymnast who won multiple Olympic gold medals, and Věra Příhoda, a Czech actress. The name maintains moderate usage in the Czech Republic.
Cultural Significance
In Czech, Věra is considered a classic name with a virtue meaning, aligning with other Slavic names like Naděžda (meaning "hope") or Lída (short for Ludmila). The name has also inspired diminutives such as Věrka or Věruška in familiar contexts.
Related Names
Related forms across languages include Slovak Viera, Bulgarian Vyara, Serbian Vjera and its diminutive Verica, Finnish Veera, and Swedish Vera.
- Meaning: Faith (or associated with Latin “true”)
- Origin: Slavic (Czech adaptation of Russian Vera)
- Type: First name
- Gender: Feminine
- Usage regions: Czech Republic, occasionally other Slavic countries internationally
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Věra