Veleda is a unique and distinctive female name of Italic origin. It is believed to have been borne by an ancient Germanic seeress who was consulted by the leader of the Bructeri, a German tribe, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian in the 1st century AD.
The name Veleda itself is derived from the Indo-European root word "*uel-", which means "to be powerful" or "to thrive". This root is also found in other words such as "valor" and "viable". Thus, Veleda can be interpreted to mean "powerful" or "thriving".
There is little historical record of Veleda herself beyond her role as a seeress, but her name has persisted throughout history as a symbol of strength and wisdom. Today, Veleda remains a rare and unique name choice for girls, carrying with it a rich historical legacy and a powerful meaning.
In terms of pronunciation, Veleda is typically pronounced /ˈviːlədə/ in English, with the stress on the first syllable and a long "i" sound as in "bee". However, pronunciations may vary depending on regional accents and language interpretations.
Statistics on the given name Veleda in the United States show a varied pattern of usage over time. Here's an overview:
From 1916 to 1948, there were several years with five births each: 1916, 1917, 1925, 1932, and 1939. In 1928, the number of births increased slightly to six.
The period between 1948 and 1970 saw a decline in usage, with only five births each year from 1948 to 1953.
However, there was an increase in popularity during the late 1960s and early 1970s. In fact, the years between 1970 and 1976 saw the highest number of births for Veleda, with seven or more births each year: seven in 1970, ten in 1971, nine in 1972, six in 1974, eight in 1975, and nine in 1976.
The trend of usage then decreased again after 1976. The last reported birth year with five Veledas was in 1979.
In total, there were 122 births recorded for the name Veleda in the United States during these years.