Veta
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from Spanish meaning "prayer".
Name Census estimates that about 580 living Americans carry the first name Veta. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Veta today is around 69 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Veta births was 1916 (58 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Veta. 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 Veta is about 69 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Vetas were born before 1967.
People living today
580
~ 1 in 590,956 Americans
Peak year
1916
58 babies that year
Average age
69
years old
2021 SSA rank
#17,500
Tracked since 1889
Popularity
Veta: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Veta from the 1880s through to the 2020s, spanning 14 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 408 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1920s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Veta 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 Veta during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Vetas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 9 states and territories. Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri recorded the most babies named Veta, while Illinois, Colorado, California recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 38 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Veta
Veta is a feminine given name with origins rooted in ancient Latin. The name itself is derived from the Latin word "vetus," meaning "old" or "ancient." This linguistic connection suggests that the name may have been bestowed upon individuals in recognition of their wisdom, experience, or reverence for tradition.
In the early days of the Roman Empire, the name Veta was occasionally used, though it was not particularly widespread. Historical records from this period are scarce, making it difficult to pinpoint the earliest known individuals bearing this name. However, it is believed that Veta was more commonly used as a cognomen or nickname rather than a formal given name during this time.
As the centuries passed, the name Veta gained a foothold in various regions of Europe, particularly in regions with strong Latin influences. One notable figure from medieval times was Veta of Saxony, a 12th-century noblewoman who played a significant role in the establishment of several religious institutions in her region.
During the Renaissance period, the name Veta experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly in Italy. One of the most renowned individuals bearing this name was Veta Trissino, an Italian poet and humanist who lived from 1478 to 1549. Her literary works, which often celebrated the beauty of nature and the human experience, earned her widespread acclaim and recognition as a prominent figure of the Italian Renaissance.
In the 17th century, Veta became a more common name in parts of Eastern Europe, particularly in regions with Slavic cultural influences. One noteworthy individual from this period was Veta Dubrovna, a Ukrainian artist who gained recognition for her intricate embroidery work and contributions to traditional folk art.
As the centuries progressed, the name Veta continued to be used across various cultures and regions, though its popularity waxed and waned over time. In the 19th century, one notable bearer of the name was Veta Kostadinova, a Bulgarian educator and activist who fought for women's rights and access to education.
While the name Veta may not be as widely used in modern times, it remains a part of the rich tapestry of cultural heritage and linguistic history, serving as a reminder of the enduring influence of ancient languages and the diverse narratives that have shaped the world we know today.
People
Veta + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Veta 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
Veta: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Veta?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 580 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Veta 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 590,956 US residents.
Is Veta a common name?
We classify Veta as "Very Rare". It ranks above 85.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 2,021 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Veta most popular?
The single biggest year for Veta was 1916, when 58 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Veta is about 69 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Veta a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Veta 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.