Vera

Vera is a Spanish surname with a toponymic origin. The word vera in Spanish means "shore" or "bank," referring to a riverbank or a slope. As a surname, it likely denoted someone who lived near such a geographical feature, or it could have been taken from any of the numerous places in Spain called Vera or La Vera.

Etymology

The surname Vera is derived from the common noun vera, which itself comes from the Latin vēra (feminine of vērus), but in Spanish it took on the specific meaning of a bank or shore. This is distinct from the Latin word vēra meaning "true" (which gave rise to the Italian surname Vera and the Spanish given name although not always directly). The surname is widespread in Spain and Latin America.

Etymology and the Slavic Given Name

As a given name, Vera is of Slavic origin, where it means "faith" (from Russian Вера). The name entered English-speaking usage in the 19th century and was popular in the early 20th century. In some Slavic contexts, it can be a short form of male names like Avenir or Averky. The name itself is sometimes connected to the allegorical group of Christian virtues known as , but the English Wikipedia entry does not mention a separate Russian Wikipedia. The given name has formed various diminutives—Verica, Verochka, Verushka—and cognates in other languages: French Véira (French), Czech Væra, Slovak Vērsura, Finnish Veera, and Polish Wiara.