Verna Riley

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Verna Riley — Italian
74K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Verna Riley is a name that combines Italian origins. The first name Verna is a feminine given name of Italian origin. Given name Verna Aardema (1911–2000), American author of children's books Verna Bloom (1939–2019), American actress Virna De Angeli (born 1976), Italian former sprinter Virna Dias (born 1971), Brazilian retired volleyball player Verna Felton (1890–1966), American actress Virna Flores (born 1977), Peruvian actress Verna Fowler (1942–2023), American Menominee educator, activist, and Catholic nun Virna Haffer (1899–1974), American photographer, printmaker, painter, musician and author Verna Lee Hightower (1930-1970), African-American rodeo rider and civil rights activist. The surname Riley: Riley is a surname of English origin, as well as an Anglicized version of an Irish surname. The name has the meaning "rye clearing", or is from one of several placenames, including High Riley in Accrington, Lancashire, and in Devon. In the United Kingdom Census 1881, more than a third of Rileys were in Lancashire; it was most prevalent in the east of the county and over the boundary into the Calder Valley in Yorkshire, and the name could be found in these areas from the 13th century. The name is also an Anglicized version of the Irish surname O'Reilly. Verna is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 74K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Verna reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Verna

Italian

Given name Verna Aardema (1911–2000), American author of children's books Verna Bloom (1939–2019), American actress Virna De Angeli (born 1976), Italian former sprinter Virna Dias (born 1971), Brazilian retired volleyball player Verna Felton (1890–1966), American actress Virna Flores (born 1977), Peruvian actress Verna Fowler (1942–2023), American Menominee educator, activist, and Catholic nun Virna Haffer (1899–1974), American photographer, printmaker, painter, musician and author Verna Lee Hightower (1930-1970), African-American rodeo rider and civil rights activist.

Surname: Riley

Meaning: courageous

Irish

Riley is a surname of English origin, as well as an Anglicized version of an Irish surname. The name has the meaning "rye clearing", or is from one of several placenames, including High Riley in Accrington, Lancashire, and in Devon. In the United Kingdom Census 1881, more than a third of Rileys were in Lancashire; it was most prevalent in the east of the county and over the boundary into the Calder Valley in Yorkshire, and the name could be found in these areas from the 13th century. The name is also an Anglicized version of the Irish surname O'Reilly.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Verna is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 13%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Verna by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Verna Riley

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Verna Riley:

3
Expression Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

2
Soul Urge Number

Cooperation and sensitivity. A diplomatic, gentle nature with strong empathy, thriving in partnerships and harmony.

1
Personality Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Verna?
The first name Verna originates from Italian. Given name Verna Aardema (1911–2000), American author of children's books Verna Bloom (1939–2019), American actress Virna De Angeli (born 1976), Italian former sprinter Virna Dias (born 1971), Brazilian retired volleyball player Verna Felton (1890–1966), American actress Virna Flores (born 1977), Peruvian actress Verna Fowler (1942–2023), American Menominee educator, activist, and Catholic nun Virna Haffer (1899–1974), American photographer, printmaker, painter, musician and author Verna Lee Hightower (1930-1970), African-American rodeo rider and civil rights activist.
When was Verna most popular?
The name Verna reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Riley?
The surname Riley originates from Irish. Riley is a surname of English origin, as well as an Anglicized version of an Irish surname. The name has the meaning "rye clearing", or is from one of several placenames, including High Riley in Accrington, Lancashire, and in Devon. In the United Kingdom Census 1881, more than a third of Rileys were in Lancashire; it was most prevalent in the east of the county and over the boundary into the Calder Valley in Yorkshire, and the name could be found in these areas from the 13th century. The name is also an Anglicized version of the Irish surname O'Reilly.
What are the origins of the name Verna Riley?
The name Verna Riley combines two different traditions: the first name Verna has Italian roots, while the surname Riley originates from Irish.
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