Veronica is a female given name of Latin origin. It is derived from the Latin word "veronicus," which means "true image" or "victory-bearer." The name Veronica is often associated with Saint Veronica, who is said to have wiped the sweat from Jesus Christ's face as he carried the cross on his way to Calvary. According to legend, her veil was imprinted with a perfect likeness of Jesus' face, hence the meaning of "true image."
The name Veronica has been used throughout history and has appeared in various forms of literature and art. In Shakespeare's play "Much Ado About Nothing," Veronica is one of the characters mentioned by Beatrice as a potential match for her cousin, Hero. Additionally, Veronica Franco, a Venetian courtesan and poet from the 16th century, was known for her intelligence and wit.
In modern times, Veronica has been a popular name in many English-speaking countries. It ranked among the top 500 names for girls in the United States during the early to mid-20th century before falling out of fashion. However, it has seen a resurgence in recent years, re-entering the Social Security Administration's list of most popular baby girl names in the U.S. in 2019.
Overall, Veronica is an historic and timeless name with roots in Latin culture and history. Its meaning, associated with truth and victory, adds to its appeal as a name that signifies strength and resilience.
The statistics provided show the annual birth counts of the name Veronica in the United States between the years 1975 and 1990. The name appeared to be most popular during this period, with a total of 44 babies named Veronica born across these years.
In 1975, there were 5 newborns given the name Veronica. The following three years saw an increase in popularity, with 6 births each year from 1978 to 1983. However, this trend did not continue consistently throughout the decade. In 1984 and 1986, there were 8 births each year, suggesting a brief resurgence in popularity.
Despite a slight dip to 5 births in 1985, the name Veronica maintained its presence with another 6 births in 1990. These statistics indicate that while Veronica was not one of the most popular names during this period, it remained a consistently chosen name for newborn girls in the United States from 1975 to 1990.
Understanding these statistics can provide insight into the naming trends and preferences of parents during this time, as well as help us appreciate the unique identity of those named Veronica who were born during these years.