Verily first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Verily has been for the last 6 years (from 2018 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Verily

An archaic word referring to something being true or truthful.

Popularity of Verily by gender

Based on the last 6 years of data, Verily is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Verily.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 5
2021 0 5
2018 0 5

The history of the first name Verily

The name Verily is derived from the Middle English word "verray," which itself originated from the Old French "verai" meaning "true" or "real." This name has been in use since the late medieval period, primarily in England and other parts of Western Europe influenced by French culture and language.

Verily was a relatively uncommon name during the Middle Ages, but it gained some popularity in the 16th and 17th centuries, particularly among the Puritans who valued plain, straightforward names with clear meanings. It was seen as a virtue name, reflecting the bearer's commitment to truth and sincerity.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Verily can be found in the writings of the English philosopher and statesman Sir Thomas More (1478-1535), who used the name in his famous work "Utopia." Another notable early bearer of the name was Verily Jones (1579-1644), an English politician and member of the Long Parliament during the English Civil War.

In the 17th century, the name Verily was borne by Verily Kempton (1619-1659), a Baptist minister and one of the founders of the Particular Baptist movement in England. Another notable figure from this period was Verily Rande (1630-1692), a Dutch engraver and cartographer known for his detailed maps of the Netherlands.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the name Verily fell out of widespread use, but it was still occasionally given to children, particularly in religious or intellectual circles. One example is Verily Anderson (1775-1848), a Scottish mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics.

In the 20th century, the name experienced a slight resurgence, albeit still remaining relatively uncommon. One notable bearer of the name was Verily Stevenson (1905-1990), a British artist and sculptor known for her abstract works in various mediums, including wood, stone, and metal.

While the name Verily is not as widely used as it once was, it continues to hold its unique charm and historical significance, serving as a reminder of the values of truth, honesty, and sincerity that it has represented throughout its long history.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Verily was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Verily, please contact us.

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"Verily first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 9, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/verily-meaning-and-history/.

"Verily first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/verily-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 9 May, 2025

Verily first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/verily-meaning-and-history/.

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