Shopping for names? Wondering what “Veronica” really means? Or just stuck with Elvis Costello in your head?

Should you send a child out into the world with the name Veronica she will instantly conjure up many images for those she is introduced to. The stunning, blond film-noir icon Veronica Lake with her strong yet sexy personality is one unforgettable Veronica. The raven-haired comic book “bad girl” Veronica who always seemed to steal Archie’s attention is another. And of course the subject of the familiar Elvis Costello tune, based on his grandmother, was an old woman who lives in a nursing home and suffers a troubled reality as she gradually loses her memory and identity. Some people see the Veronica plant in their mind’s eye when they hear this name, and it’s not a bad namesake; it’s a lovely flowering plant with blue blooms.

Naturally there are less common Veronicas who still have historical and cultural significance. Veronica Wedgwood, a historian, is one example. The Australian band, The Veronicas, are gaining popularity worldwide. And Winona Ryder’s character Veronica Sawyer in the movie “Heathers”-a film from 1988, making it memorable for many adults of childbearing age-had many humorous twists. And if you ever visit Tenerife in the Canary Islands you’ll probably end up on Veronica’s Strip in the Playa de las Americas. The proximity to Spain makes the siesta, the long, involved dinner, and the resulting nightlife on Veronica’s Strip a popular and exciting tourist destination.

Veronica is a female name which is derived from Greek words for “bring” and “victory, so its meaning is “she who brings victory.” That’s a strong message, and a proud one, with much history and literature in it. An alternate origin for Veronica is that which arose from the story of Saint Veronica, an Italian mystic and saint from the 17th century. As Jesus faltered carrying his cross to his crucifixion Veronica offered him a cloth so that he could wipe his face. As the story goes she later saw a miraculous true image of Jesus’ face on the cloth. Along these lines, in Latin “vera” denotes true and “icon” means effigy. In the past there were cults following Saint Veronica, and it is common for the cloth itself to be referred to as “The Veronica” or “The Veil of Veronica.” However, “she who brings victory” or “victory bringer” are generally the preferred meanings of the name.

The name Veronica has also been within the top 100 names a handful of times, most recently in the mid-1970s. However, it remains a common enough name to avoid pronunciation difficulties. This makes the name very attractive to parents who want a traditional moniker but want to avoid a name that is overly common.

And if your name is already Veronica…well, your own personal adventure is in some way contributing to the rich history of the name.