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English Names that Start With V

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Oct 01 2024
  1. Vanessa

    • Origin:

      Literary invention; also a species of butterfly

    • Description:

      Vanessa was invented by writer Jonathan Swift for a lover named Esther Vanhomrigh—he combined the first syllable of her last name with the initial syllable of her first. Swift used it in the poem Cadenus and Vanessa in 1713. A century later, Johan Christian Fabricius used Vanessa as the name of a genus of butterfly.
  2. Vere

    • Origin:

      English from French

    • Meaning:

      "alder"

    • Description:

      Upper-class surname in England that might be prime for adoption here.
  3. Vance

    • Origin:

      English and Irish

    • Meaning:

      "someone who lives near marshland"

    • Description:

      Short and sharp with a nature related meaning, Vance was trending upwards in recent years thanks to the musicians Foy Vance and Vance Joy. 2024 saw it take a downwards dip however, likely due to its association with the vice president, JD Vance, a controversial association which it might not recover from for a while. Time, however, will tell.
  4. Velvet

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "a fabric characterized by a short soft dense warp pile"

    • Description:

      Velvet is a name that couldn't possibly be softer or more luxuriant. Many people have fond memories of it via the character of Velvet Brown, played by the young Elizabeth Taylor in National Velvet, an intrepid young woman willing to masquerade as a boy to race her horse in a dangerous steeplechase.
  5. Vernon

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "place of alders"

    • Description:

      Once aristocratic British surname yet to be revived. Vince Vaughn recently gave his son the same double initials as his own when he named him Vernon Vaughn.
  6. Vinson

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of Vincent"

    • Description:

      For Grandpa Vincent.
  7. Vinny

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Vincent

    • Description:

      Best left at the Jersey Shore.
  8. Vernon

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "place of alders"

    • Description:

      Much more upscale and modern for a girl than a boy.
  9. Vice

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "moral depravity or corruption"

    • Description:

      This scary word name was given to five baby boys in the US in 2013, entering the lexicon for the first time. Are the boys named Vice destined for a life of crime, or the creation of a media empire?
  10. Verve

    • Origin:

      English word name, French

    • Meaning:

      "vigour, spirit"

    • Description:

      A vibrant and energetic noun name, chosen by actress Shawnee Smith for her daughter, Verve has plenty of zest packed into a stylish single syllable. Borrowed from French, it means "spirit, vigour, vivacity".
  11. Venn

    • Origin:

      English, Irish

    • Meaning:

      "from the marsh or fen; fair"

    • Description:

      No, not Ben (you'll say a million times), not Van -- Venn. John Venn was a British logician and philosopher famous for introducing the Venn diagram, which is used in several fields, including logic, statistics, and computer science.
  12. Virle

    • Description:

      Virle is an uncommon masculine name with obscure origins. It may derive from Latin roots related to 'virilis' meaning 'manly' or 'virile', or possibly represent a shortened form of longer names. The name could also have localized origins, as Virle exists as a place name in northern Italy. With its compact single-syllable structure, Virle has a concise, distinctive quality. Though rare in contemporary usage, the name offers a brief yet substantial option for parents seeking something uncommon. Its brevity contrasts with longer naming trends, potentially appealing to those preferring minimalist name choices.
  13. Verle

    • Description:

      Verle is a rare masculine name with Germanic origins, possibly derived from words meaning 'truthful' or 'honest man.' It may also be a variant of Verlin or Verlon, which share similar etymological roots. The name emerged in American usage in the early 20th century, peaking in popularity between the 1910s and 1930s but remaining uncommon even then. Verle has a distinct vintage quality and carries connotations of integrity and straightforwardness through its possible meaning. The name's simple pronunciation but unusual presence gives it a distinctive character that sets it apart from more common vintage revivals. Though it has declined in usage since mid-century, Verle might appeal to parents seeking a genuinely rare name with historical precedent and positive character associations.

  14. Vine

    • Origin:

      English nature name

    • Description:

      Unusual and simple nature name worthy of further consideration.
  15. Vinnie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Lavinia

    • Description:

      A winning, gold locket nickname name of the turn of the last century, though also a common nickname for Vincent.
  16. Vane

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "banner"

    • Description:

      He'll have to prove his humility.