Veronica (name)

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For other uses, see Veronica (disambiguation).
Veronica
Hans Memling 026.jpg
Saint Veronica
Pronunciation/vəˈrɒnɪkə/
Spanish: [beˈɾonika]
GenderFemale
Origin
Word/nameGreek, Latin
Meaningshe who brings victory, true image
Other names
Related namesBernice, Berenice

Veronica (also spelled Weronika, Veronika, Verónica or Verônica) is a female given name, the Latin transliteration of the Greek name Berenice, Βερενίκη, [1] which in turn is derived from the Macedonian form of the Athenian Φερενίκη, Phereníkē, or Φερονίκη, Pheroníkē, from φέρειν, phérein, to bring, and νίκη, níkê, "victory", i.e. "she who brings victory".[2][3]

The Ancient Macedonian form of the name was popularized because of its extensive use as a royal feminine name by the reigning dynasties of the states of the Diadochi of Alexander the Great throughout the Eastern Mediterranean during the Hellenistic age, most notably by the Ptolemies of Egypt and by the Seleucids of the Levant. In medieval etymology, Veronica was sometimes supposed to derive from Latin vera (true) and Greek eikon (image).[4]

Its popularity in medieval and modern times is based mainly on the importance in Christianity of Saint Veronica and her Veil of Veronica. Pet forms of Veronica include Ronnie and Roni and the German Vroni. In Russian, the pet form is Nika (Ника). "Veronica" is a popular name in many countries in the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, and also Ireland, France, and French-speaking Canada.

Given name[]

In fiction[]

References[]

  1. ^ Harper, Douglas (November 2001). "Veronica". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 24 August 2007.
  2. ^ Names of Greek origin Archived May 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Behind the Name: Meaning, Origin and History of the Name Berenice
  4. ^ Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Veronica
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