Veda peaked in 2024 and holds 13,696 SSA records, a Sanskrit name meaning "knowledge" or "sacred wisdom" that also references the Vedas, the foundational texts of Hinduism. At rank 692, it's rising in American usage as parents increasingly look toward names with substantive meaning and ancient roots.
Knowledge as Etymology
Veda comes from Sanskrit veda, meaning "knowledge" or "to know" — the same root that gives the Vedas their name, the body of ancient Sanskrit texts that form the foundation of Hindu philosophy and religious practice. Naming a daughter Knowledge is a powerful choice; naming her Veda accomplishes the same thing with a beautiful word that doesn't announce its meaning in English. The depth is there for those who know; the sound works independently for those who don't.
The Sanskrit-American Bridge
Veda has been used by both Hindu families honoring their cultural heritage and non-Hindu American families drawn to the name's sound and meaning. That dual usage is possible because Veda functions both as a sacred reference and as a simply beautiful name. For families with Indian heritage, the choice carries specific spiritual weight. For families outside that tradition, the name connects to a system of thought that values wisdom — an inheritance that seems hard to object to.
Short, Weighty, Uncommon
Veda is two syllables — VEE-dah — and five letters. It's in the same compact register as Ila and Nora: short names that carry more meaning than their length suggests. At 13,696 total records, it has enough American history to feel legitimate without being common enough to turn up in every preschool class. Parents who want a name with real substance that their daughter won't share with three classmates will find Veda worth serious consideration.