Versa
A feminine name of Latin origin signifying versatile or multi-sided.
Name Census estimates that about 71 living Americans carry the first name Versa. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Versa today is around 82 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Versa births was 1921 (35 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Versa. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Versa is about 82 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Versas were born before 1954.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Versa. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
71
~ 1 in 4,827,526 Americans
Peak year
1921
35 babies that year
Average age
82
years old
1958 SSA rank
#6,998
Tracked since 1886
Popularity
Versa: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Versa from the 1880s through to the 1950s, spanning 8 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1910s, with 189 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1910s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Versa by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Versa during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Versas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 3 states and territories. Kentucky, Arkansas, Alabama recorded the most babies named Versa, while Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 13 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Versa
The name Versa finds its origins in Latin, with its root tracing back to the word "versus," which means "turned." It was initially used as a verb in ancient Rome, referring to the act of turning or changing direction. Over time, it evolved into a noun, taking on the meaning of "a turn," "a shift," or "a change."
In the early days of Christianity, the name Versa gained some religious significance. It was associated with the concept of conversion, symbolizing a turning towards faith or a spiritual transformation. Several early Christian texts and writings mention individuals bearing this name, though specific records are scarce.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Versa can be found in the writings of the 4th-century historian Ammianus Marcellinus. He mentions a Roman soldier named Versa who fought bravely during the reign of Emperor Julian the Apostate (331-363 CE).
During the Middle Ages, the name Versa appeared sporadically across various European regions, particularly in Italy and France. It was often used as a feminine name, though its masculine form, Verso, was also present. Notable figures from this period include Versa di Montefalco (1268-1308), an Italian mystic and Benedictine nun known for her visions and spiritual writings.
In the 16th century, the name gained some prominence in Portugal, where it was associated with the concept of versatility and adaptability. One notable bearer of the name was Versa de Almeida (1528-1590), a Portuguese explorer and navigator who played a crucial role in establishing trade routes between Portugal and Southeast Asia.
The 17th century saw the name spread to other parts of Europe, including England and Germany. One of the most famous individuals with this name was Versa Trapp (1605-1678), a German poet and theologian whose works explored themes of spirituality and the natural world.
In the 19th century, the name Versa gained popularity in the United States, particularly among immigrant communities from various European countries. Notable Americans with this name include Versa Whitman (1819-1892), a renowned poet and essayist who celebrated the beauty of nature and the human spirit, and Versa Stanton (1815-1902), a leading figure in the women's rights movement and a staunch advocate for women's suffrage.
Throughout history, the name Versa has carried connotations of change, adaptability, and transformation. Its Latin roots and religious associations have contributed to its enduring appeal, while its diverse bearers have left their mark across various fields, from literature and exploration to social activism and spiritual pursuits.
People
Versa + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Versa as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with V
Other first names starting with V with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Versa: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Versa?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 71 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Versa going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 4,827,526 US residents.
Is Versa a common name?
We classify Versa as "Very Rare". It ranks above 59.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 688 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Versa most popular?
The single biggest year for Versa was 1921, when 35 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Versa is about 82 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Versa a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Versa in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.