By Brynn McKeon · Updated September 2026
Across 7 pages
of 7
Hindi
"valorous"
Another traditional Indian name, best known here via novelist Vikram Seth.
Spanish and Catalan from Latin
"life, vital"
A zippy, lively name that has never been popular, but has never completely disappeared. It is best known for writer and wit Gore Vidal, and hairdresser Vidal Sassoon and his many products.
Diminutive of Viv- names
"life"
Vivi is a short form of all the Vivian and Viveca forms that is sure to get a lot more attention now that a little Jolie-Pitt girl has been named Vivienne.
Latin
"springtime"
Verna may mean "springtime," but May or Spring is fresher.
"integrity"
Verena is pleasant but old-fashioned. Whether that's the outdated kind of old-fashioned or the so-out-it's-in-again kind is your call. St. Verena was a third century nurse; Verena Tarrant is a…
Diminutive of Victoria
"victory"
This once vivacious midcentury nickname is rarely used for modern babies.
English word name
A winning unisex word name, fresher than Victoria or Victor. While Victory ranked only once on the US Top 1000, in 1918 at the end of World War I, it's a Top 25 name for girls in France.
Vital and vivacious, Vita is stirring back to life along with many of her V-themed sisters -- Vivian, Vivica -- and is becoming a new celebrity baby favorite. Vita Sackville-West was a British…
A winning unisex word name, fresher than Victoria or Victor.
Arabic, Spanish
"swooping eagle; meadow"
Another astral name, this one relating to one of the largest and brightest stars in the heavens, is popular in Scandinavia and Spain, where it ranks among the Top 50 girls' names . Although still…
"protector"
Name of one of the three main Hindu gods.
"alive, living, life"
Viva la baby with this life-affirming name, one of the appealing group of girl names that mean life . Other related life-giving names on the rise: cousins Vida and Vita, and Vivian, Aviva, and even…
Spanish
"meadows"
One of the major American city names that's very unlikely to catch on as a baby name, although a small number of children are given the name each year.
Diminutive of Vladimir, Slavic
"great ruler, peaceful ruler, ruler of the world"
The most famous Vlad was nicknamed "the Impaler." Enough said.
Word name
"courage and bravery"
A modern virtue name with ancient charm, Valor works well as it doesn't come up in everyday conversation all that often. Predominantly used for boys, Valor has been given to a slowly growing number…
German
"will helmet"
Velma likely originated as a phonetic spelling of the German name Wilma, itself derived from Wilhelmina. Velma Dinkley is a smart, if nerdy, character in Scooby Doo .
Vinnie is primarily a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Vincent, though it can occasionally be used for girls as well. The name derives from the Latin 'Vincentius,' meaning…
Place name, English, Spanish, French, Latin "worth; valley"
"worth; valley"
A distinctive and unusual choice, Vail may stem from the Latin, French, and Spanish valor and valeur , denoting worth, merit, and value: a perfect meaning for a baby. There is the possibility…
"someone from the Basque region"
Schoolchildren will recognize this name via Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama.
Sanskrit, Latin
"shore, sail"
Vela is one of those rare names that is at once simple, straightforward, authentic, and unusual, at least in the Western World. Besides being an Indian girls' name, Vela is a Southern sky…
