Livia or Vera

[atheist8mantis]

?

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

@Violetlavenders

Why would Vera become Veera?

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.

Livia by miles.

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

Also like Viva pronounced Veeva.

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

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

Livia is so much nicer.

I like Vita.

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.

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

@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.

@Violetlavenders

Why would Vera become Veera?

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.

That should say, ‘pronounced Veera…’

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

Livia

I've never heard of vera pronounced any other way then Veer-uh (that's including the one in my family, a couple of others I know through work/friends, and of course... Vera Duckworth!)

Than*

Vera. Livia makes me think of liver. (Shudders)

Livia is beautiful, very elegant imo - it seems a shame it's underused due to the popularity of Olivia.

Vera still feels too dated in the UK to me (I understand it's used on all ages in other countries though, so it would depend if you'd mind it has more of an OAP image here?).

Livia puts me in mind if Tony Soprano's obstreperous mother.

Vera

Vera is awful.

Livia is ok but it sounds unfinished to me.

I know a Livia and I personally like the name, but she constantly has to state it's Livia not Olivia, say 'it's spelled like Olivia but without the O', she thinks it's a pain. But she's a teenager and everything is a pain at 15.

Vera just sounds a bit harsh and old fashioned. Also Vera duckworth.

Neither but Livia at a push but I also think of Tony Sopranos whiny mother and to Londoners/Essexers(?) Olivia and Livia are one and the same.

Absolutely hate Vera. Such an ugly, boring name.

They're both awful. Vera is spectacularly awful. Vera Duckworth, vera lyn.. proper older lady name

Livia sounds like you've mispronounced olivia.

Vita is a family name and I'm avoiding those. I don't like Vida.
I'm worried about Livia being confused with Olivia, but I'm having a hard time coming up with another name I like as much.