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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Livia or Vera

62 replies

atheist8mantis · 07/06/2021 01:54

?

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Stevearnottsbeard · 07/06/2021 20:26

I've only ever heard vera pronounced veer-uh, would never consider pronouncing it any other way.
I prefer it to livia, most people will just think you'd said olivia

Terrazzo · 07/06/2021 20:24

That should say, ‘pronounced Veera…’

Terrazzo · 07/06/2021 20:24

@Violetlavenders

Why would Vera become Veera? Confused

All the Veras I know pronounce it Ver-ah, as it's written. Like Veronica or Verity or Veranda. There's no ee.

I much prefer Vera over Livia.

Veronica and Verity have a different E sound in my standard English accent so will do for a lot of the population too.

Ver-onica.
Veh-rity.

OP, I knew an utterly lovely, glamorous, young, professional and kind Vera a few years ago (pronounced Vera…) and after an initial ‘huh, Vera!’, she instantly reframed the name in everyone’s mind. So if you have a baby called Vera, the same will happen there I’m sure.

Livia is very pretty although the similarity to Olivia might make me think twice. Having said that I have never met a little Olivia since having my first child 6 years ago.

partyatthepalace · 07/06/2021 20:20

@Violetlavenders

Vera is beautiful. Pronounced Ver-ah. Like Verity or Veronica.

Livia sounds like livid.

It’s never pronounced like that it the UK though - it’s Vere-rah here. I agree Ver-rah is much nicer but it’s too well known as a reviving Granny name to have a hope of changing that.
partyatthepalace · 07/06/2021 20:18

Of the two, Livia. Don’t think Vera translates from Russian well, although it’s coming back into use (pronunced Vere-rah in the Uk)

Livia is v similar to the Uber popular Olivia though, so would maybe look at some more options - Cassia, Cecilia, Leonora, Stella, Oona, Vivienne are some thoughts

WestToEast · 07/06/2021 15:51

Love both. And I'm pleased to see some positive reactions to Vera! It's our #1 girls name (don't know what we're having yet), and a family name. With the popularity of other old lady names, plus it sounding and looking similar to Vida, Vita etc I've never quite understood the hate it gets on here.

PetuniaPot · 07/06/2021 14:51

I like Vita.

Serpenta · 07/06/2021 14:40

Vera is a sharp vinegary name. I really don't like it.

Livia is so much nicer.

toastofthetown · 07/06/2021 14:38

If we are suggesting two syllable V names, I’ll throw in Vita! One of my favourite names, sadly vetoed.

TatianaBis · 07/06/2021 14:29

Livia by miles.

Vera is only nice in Mediterranean languages, the English pronunciation is awful.

Also like Viva pronounced Veeva.

Bibidy · 07/06/2021 14:28

@Violetlavenders

Why would Vera become Veera? Confused

All the Veras I know pronounce it Ver-ah, as it's written. Like Veronica or Verity or Veranda. There's no ee.

I much prefer Vera over Livia.

Really?!?!

I have never heard of Vera pronounced any other way except Veer-ah.

Undersnatch · 07/06/2021 14:22

Loooove Vera. For me Livia sounds like a body part or an illness!

Laquila · 07/06/2021 14:17

Someone mentioned Vida, which is gorgeous - IMO nicer than both Livia and Vera.

Laquila · 07/06/2021 14:16

@Violetlavenders a lot of people in the UK would pronounce Vera as Veer-ah (or maybe more Veer-uh). It's a different sound to the Ve in Veronica or Verity, or at least for me, and the Veras I know!

Bibidy · 07/06/2021 14:15

I think Vera is due a resurgence tbh, and have recently heard of a little girl with that name :) If you like it I would go for that one.

I agree with others that Livia is so similar to Olivia, which is such a popular name.

murbblurb · 07/06/2021 14:14

According to Claudius, Livia meant 'malignity'. Google now says it means 'envious' or 'bluish'. Sure about that one?

KirstenBlest · 07/06/2021 14:11

Livia is by far the nicer of the two. Vera is awful.

Livia is too similar to Olivia, which is overpopular.

LaBellina · 07/06/2021 14:07

Livia

BestIsWest · 07/06/2021 14:06

Livia makes me think of the character in I Claudius played by Sian Phillips. Totally evil and manipulative character though brilliantly acted.

Starlight39 · 07/06/2021 14:04

I absolutely love Livia and would have loved it for my DD but worried it would be misheard as Olivia. Having said that I much prefer to Vera.

HappyDaysToCome · 07/06/2021 14:02

Livia would make me assume Olivia

Vera is growing in me the more I think about it.

Vida? Was on our list for a middle name if we’d had boys.

Neolara · 07/06/2021 13:58

Livia

DramaAlpaca · 07/06/2021 13:58

Livia

PetuniaPot · 07/06/2021 13:57

..Ponders on the word era..

PetuniaPot · 07/06/2021 13:57

Vowel sounds are very accent dependant. Living in the UK in the era of mass communication this has been apparent to me from an early age.

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