Virna
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from Verna meaning "spring flower".
Name Census estimates that about 160 living Americans carry the first name Virna. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Virna today is around 57 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Virna births was 1965 (38 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Virna. 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.
People living today
160
~ 1 in 2,142,215 Americans
Peak year
1965
38 babies that year
Average age
57
years old
1978 SSA rank
#9,723
Tracked since 1920
Popularity
Virna: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Virna from the 1920s through to the 1970s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1960s, with 97 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Virna 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 Virna during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Virnas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Virna
The name Virna is believed to have originated from the Latin word "virens," which means "green" or "flourishing." It is thought to have been derived from the Latin root "vir," meaning "man" or "strength." This suggests that the name may have been associated with vitality, fertility, and growth in its earliest origins.
The name has been traced back to ancient Roman times, where it was used as a feminine name, possibly inspired by the Roman goddess of spring, Flora. In some historical records, it is also spelled as "Virnae" or "Vernae," reflecting the variations in spelling that were common in ancient times.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Virna can be found in a 5th-century Christian text, where it was mentioned as the name of a Roman martyr who lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. This early Christian connection may have contributed to the name's enduring popularity in certain regions.
In the Middle Ages, the name Virna gained popularity in parts of Europe, particularly in Italy and Spain. During this time, the name was often associated with virtues such as purity, innocence, and devotion.
Notable historical figures with the name Virna include:
1. Virna Lisi (1936-2014), an Italian actress known for her roles in films such as "How to Murder Your Wife" and "Beyond Good and Evil."
2. Virna Haffer (born 1948), a German-born American author and women's rights activist.
3. Virna Jandric (born 1977), a Croatian singer and songwriter known for her contributions to the Balkan music scene.
4. Virna Sacchi (born 1971), an Italian politician and member of the European Parliament.
5. Virna Milović (born 1986), a Serbian singer and songwriter who has represented Serbia in international music competitions.
While the name Virna has roots in ancient Latin and Roman culture, it has been adopted and adapted by various cultures throughout history, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and influences that have shaped this unique and enduring name.
Notable bearers
Famous people named Virna
People
Virna + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Virna 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
Virna: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Virna?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 160 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Virna 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 2,142,215 US residents.
Is Virna a common name?
We classify Virna as "Very Rare". It ranks above 71.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 194 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Virna most popular?
The single biggest year for Virna was 1965, when 38 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Virna is about 57 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Virna a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Virna 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.