🪻 revisiting the Vs: Vita or Vera?

[lateaugust]

Okay, first of all, hi! I have had names on the brain lately which is awesome and exciting but also means I’ve been doing mental gymnastics over my list and could use some help.

[name_f]Vita[/name_f] and [name_f]Vera[/name_f] are both on my list and are both contenders for my short list - but I have very different feelings about them and kind of need convincing on either. I’m combining them into one post because I obviously wouldn’t use both of them and I think that they’re different enough that most of you have one pick that you could advocate for over the other.

I’d love if you would convince me on your pick— whether that be through logic (“this name fits better with your list”), aesthetic (“V__a 🪿 🫶🏻 ”), or something else.

I’m going to write out my thoughts, including why I’m considering the name and what’s holding me back, under each name. If you have a gut reaction, a clear favorite, or you’re just short on time today- you can comment those without reading and I would be happy to hear your thoughts on their own.

[name_f]Vita[/name_f]

This would be an honor for [name_f]Victoria[/name_f], which is an important family name that I used to dream of using as a middle name for my first daughter, but I like the idea of using a variant which would still keep the name in the mix while allowing for more creativity. I like the literary connection, the history of the name, how it’s sparky and bold, clearly not being used in the US. [name_f]Every[/name_f] time I post my list on NB, someone suggests [name_f]Vita[/name_f] - which makes me so happy and is convincing on its own!
[name_f]My[/name_f] hold backs basically sum up to being a bit intimidated by [name_f]Vita[/name_f] lol. The name is so vivacious and demanding of attention (in a good way!) that I have a hard time picturing her. I think many of the names on my list that I feel more confident about are a bit more casual and cozy. I look at the “similar names” feature on NB’s page for [name_f]Vita[/name_f] and see [name_f]Toril[/name_f], [name_u]Tempest[/name_u], [name_f]Saskia[/name_f]- energetic and lovely choices but all together makes the name seem a bit too cool for me? I know many nickname purists will probably disagree with my but it seems like an adult name… When I close my eyes and try to imagine a little [name_f]Vita[/name_f], I have a hard time. In some ways this is a pro because I definitely struggle with dreaming up my names too much. But it makes it harder to commit to [name_f]Vita[/name_f] and consider it something of a done deal choice.

[name_f]Vera[/name_f]

[name_f]My[/name_f] [name_f]Vera[/name_f] thoughts are pretty much the opposite of my [name_f]Vita[/name_f] thoughts. I can very easily imagine [name_f]Vera[/name_f]. The name does have a special connection to my life now (and the V could still be a more abstract honor for Victoria) which is why she’s back on my mind- I actually used to love this name when I was much younger, it entered the US top 1000 around the time that I started checking out baby name books from the library. [name_f]Vera[/name_f] also has a connection to literature and fits that art deco, vintage chic, ‘20s vibe.
But Vera’s popularity looks like a roller coaster ride. It is #224 as of 2022, making the name much more popular than my other names - particularly my boy list (Bram, [name_m]Grover[/name_m], [name_u]Percy[/name_u], Linus) which I feel reflects my eclectic style the most. I do know of at least one [name_f]Vera[/name_f] off the top of my head (the friend of one of my former nanny kids) and I feel like I’m only going to know more. Plus, I feel like we’re nearing the height of [name_f]Vera[/name_f] and I still have some years to go until I’m putting pen to birth certificate and committing - I don’t think that [name_f]Vera[/name_f] is anything like [name_f]Olivia[/name_f], but I am aware that [name_f]Vera[/name_f] does not match my self imposed criteria.

So should I lean into [name_f]Vera[/name_f] or [name_f]Vita[/name_f]? Are my hold backs telling you that I’m just going in the wrong direction completely? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you have any reasonings, suggestions, words of wisdom? I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts and hopefully clarifying my own.

Thank you

[heartwings]

I think [name_f]Vita[/name_f] would be the best.

[lateaugust]

thank you!! That’s helpful to hear

[tallemaja]

I’ve never heard of Vita as a nickname for Victoria before, and to me, both Vera and Vita feel equally intuitive as honours for Victoria! Vita has Victoria’s T sound, while Vera has a more similar ending sound. They both start with Victoria’s sound if you pronounce Vera like vee-rah and not veh-rah. I definitely don’t think one feels less like a proper honour than the other!

In terms of aesthetic, Vita feels more bright and energetic to me. Someone who’d wear colourful bracelets and bright outfits. Vera feels more like the elegant, studious type. Although I don’t think it really matters too much - you adjust your aesthetic perceptions based on the people you know! Cosmo feels super sporty to me, because of the Cosmo I know. Similarly, if someone met a very extraverted, brightly-dressed Vera, they would begin to think of Vera that way, even if Vita more obviously has those vibes.

As for popularity, you said it yourself that you still have some years before you’d be using it. I think the only thing to do is wait and see if it increases in popularity, decreases, or stagnates. I don’t think 200ish is too popular next to your boys, because although they’re less common, they all have familiar sounds (and I personally know a Percy and a Bram, but not a Vera!). Vera wouldn’t stand out at all next to them, in my opinion!

But neither would Vita, necessarily. The ‘similar names’ function of nameberry is wonky at best - it has recommended me names like Wisdom under medieval European names Vita does read as more out there, but it doesn’t feel weird or bold. It feels familiar, like a combination of Viv or Vera with Rita, with a retro vibe. It has a distinct sound, but I wouldn’t think of it as a brave choice.

TLDR, I think they’re both equally good choices. I personally like Vera more for you, just because the only reason you really mentioned liking Vita was the honour name bit, whereas it seems like your heart’s more into Vera - but that could just be how you happened to word it, and honestly I think there’s nothing wrong with keeping both names on your list and giving yourself the time to love them and think them over, since you aren’t having children in the immediate future!

[danilib]

[name_f]Vita[/name_f] is really cool! But I have to go with [name_f]Vera[/name_f], because I have a [name_f]Vera[/name_f] of my own.

I can give you some perspective on the name on a real person. … [name_f]Vera[/name_f] is a name that nearly everyone recognizes, but I only know one other (and she’s 15 years older than my daughter). A fair number of people say something like “I had an aunt named Vera” which is fun. I wouldn’t have guessed that it ranked as high as it does on the charts.

Oddly, I’d say that maybe a third of people pronounce her name “Vair-a” instead of “Vee-ra.” Didn’t expect that before she was born, but it’s not a big deal.

[Eirime]

I’ve known a [name_f]Verena[/name_f] nn [name_f]Vera[/name_f], she was a very sweet and smart lady

[snowmaiden]

These are both lovely names. If I were you, honestly, I’d keep both on my list! (I’ve got [name_f]Elspeth[/name_f], [name_f]Elise[/name_f], [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f], [name_f]Beth[/name_f], [name_f]Belle[/name_f], and [name_f]Lily[/name_f] all on my long list—with no thoughts of removing any of them, if that’s any vote of encouragement.)

I find [name_f]Vita[/name_f] quite a bit sharper than [name_f]Vera[/name_f], myself. A V name is always sharp and poised to some degree, I feel, but the T in [name_f]Vita[/name_f] sharpens her further. Not a bad thing at all, just a thing. [name_f]Vera[/name_f] feels like riverside, floral-bloom springtime (“primavera”) whereas [name_f]Vita[/name_f] feels like unapologetically bright fervor and spark (“vita” meaning “life”).

Personally, I really enjoy the warmth of [name_f]Vera[/name_f]. She goes with your boys names to me; a little bit familiar, certainly more popular years ago than now, and a very sturdy, bonny, hero/heroine sort of choice. I’ve only met one [name_f]Vera[/name_f] in my life, and she was my third grade teacher! She’s got to be 70 or older by now. I’d be absolutely excited to meet a young [name_f]Vera[/name_f]!

Of the two, I think [name_f]Vera[/name_f] is the more 🪿 🫶🏼 name. I think that [name_f]Vita[/name_f] would be a more name! Not at all bad, of course—just different. Kickier, more wild maybe! They’re both quite cool.

[MrBadger]

I personally prefer [name_f]Vera[/name_f]. If popularity was my concern I would probably reasses shortly before giving the name. [name_f]Vita[/name_f] currently feels more unusual to me. I would also possibly consider longer forms such as: [name_f]Veronica[/name_f] nn [name_f]Vera[/name_f] or [name_f]Victoria[/name_f] nn [name_f]Vita[/name_f].

[YorkshireMama]

I love both names!

[name_f]Vita[/name_f] is on my list. I love that i don’t know anyone with the name. I dont expect to know my daughter or expect her to be like anyone else - i hope she is truly unapologetically herself. Perhaps in time thats how you will feel about your daughter?

[name_f]Vera[/name_f] is my great aunts name. She was 5ft 11, beautifully dressed. Elegant. Reserved. Never married. Owned her own dress shop. When i think of her name i would be delighted to have a daughter that was like her. Its warm and comforting, familiar without being common. But some how, she feels old fashioned.

Choose both until nearer the time.

But i personally choose [name_f]Vita[/name_f]

[Greyblue]

[name_f]Vita[/name_f] is my favourite. While it is bright and zippy, it also feels quietly poetic and sweet, and so for me, it has a sweet kind of sass, a sparkly whimsicalness, a gentle flair. I can see an adult [name_f]Vita[/name_f] and a little [name_f]Vita[/name_f]

[briarbelle]

vera fs! it’s a name like how @danilib was saying, how everyone knows but is underused. i could only name one vera at all, it’s such a gorgeous name, and is 100% a name good for growing.

[Teabelle]

I love [name_f]Vita[/name_f], reminds me of the Italian variation [name_f]Vittoria[/name_f] I’m a fan of [name_f]Vera[/name_f] too though and I wouldn’t worry about popularity as I’ve personally never met a baby [name_f]Vera[/name_f] for example but I have met a baby [name_f]Veda[/name_f]. I prefer [name_f]Vita[/name_f] for an honour to [name_f]Victoria[/name_f] and stands out more. Other V names such as [name_f]Viviana[/name_f] or [name_f]Verona[/name_f] could work too.

[sammaegre]

[name_f]Vera[/name_f] fits in a little better with your other names but I personally pefer [name_f]Vita[/name_f] so I’m a bit torn on which one is best for you. [name_f]Vera[/name_f] feels a bit more serious and mature to me while [name_f]Vita[/name_f] is sparkly, sassy, and a bit more fun.

[Elyphina]

[name_f]Vita[/name_f] is a cool, spunky nn for [name_f]Victoria[/name_f]. [name_f]Kinda[/name_f] get rebel vibes from it. Though my instant association was vitamins and it seems as though you’re only into the name cause it’s a rare nn for your honour name compared to Vic/Vicky/Tori/Tora.

I do think [name_f]Vera[/name_f] suits you most. You have a clear love for the name and only seem to be questioning it due to being momentarily blown away by a different nn choice for [name_f]Victoria[/name_f]. [name_f]Vera[/name_f] works better with your other names and is a known underused name that I’m sure you’ll get many compliments for.

[name_f]May[/name_f] I suggest the name, [name_f]Vira[/name_f].
It is also a nn for [name_f]Victoria[/name_f] and and combines [name_f]Vita[/name_f] and [name_f]Vera[/name_f].

[julieghoulie730]

I prefer [name_f]Vera[/name_f] with the other names on your list. Like [name_m]Bram[/name_m], [name_u]Percy[/name_u], etc, it feels gentle, vintage, literary and quirky. I don’t think [name_f]Vera[/name_f] is going to undergo a popularity explosion. I live in the trendy [name_m]Pacific[/name_m] Northwest and I have only met one little [name_f]Vera[/name_f], who is about 8. [name_f]Vita[/name_f] doesn’t sparkle for me, maybe because my last name also begins with the letters VIT- and I have never loved it. I always associated it with vitamins and “vittles” (slang for food if you’re not familiar).

[Stabyhoun]

I love [name_f]Vera[/name_f] the most, it’s such a good name!

[autumnreverie]

I like that [name_f]Vera[/name_f] means “faith,” “truth,” and “summer” in various languages. [name_f]Vita[/name_f] make me think of Velveeta cheese.