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Verity

''Verity'' is an English-language female given name derived from the Latin ''veritas'', meaning "truth". It is also used as a surname. For people with this name, see the relevant sections below. This article also covers other uses, including in literature and media (such as the 2018 psychological thriller novel by Colleen Hoover) and in art and landmarks.

Given name

Origin and meaning

The given name Verity originates from the Latin noun veritas, meaning "truth" or "truthfulness". This etymological root traces back to the Proto-Indo-European wer-, denoting something "true" or "trustworthy", which evolved through Old French verité into the English word "verity" by the late 14th century. As a feminine given name, Verity emerged in the 17th century among English , who favored embodying and religious ideals such as and . It parallels other Puritan-era names like or , selected to inspire virtuous living, and has since been used sporadically in English-speaking cultures to convey and reliability.

Popularity and usage

Verity is predominantly a given name in English-speaking countries, valued for its embodiment of the virtue of truth and its roots in 17th-century Puritan naming traditions, where parents selected names to reflect ideals. This practice, common among English Protestants, led to the of abstract virtues like , , and Verity as personal names to encourage ethical living from childhood. In the , Verity enjoys moderate popularity, particularly in , where it has consistently ranked within the top 500 girl names in recent years. Data from the Office for National Statistics indicate that in 2024, Verity held the 408th position, accounting for 0.036% of female births (105 girls); it ranked 373rd in 2023 (0.039%) and 457th in 2022 (0.031%). The name's usage reflects a longstanding cultural affinity for in society, with an estimated 5,885 individuals bearing the name in as of recent records. In the United States, Verity remains uncommon but has experienced a steady rise since the late 2000s, aligning with renewed interest in vintage . According to data, the name first appeared in national records in 1966 and entered the top 2,000 girl names around 2018. It peaked at 1,227th place in 2020 with 145 births, followed by 113 births in 2021 (ranking 1,777th), and 1,875th in 2024. This growth is most notable in states like , , and , where it has seen the highest incidence; data record 1,594 babies named Verity from 1880 to 2023. Globally, the name also appears in (1,131 bearers) and (627 bearers), underscoring its appeal in nations.

Notable people

Verity Lambert (1935–2007) was an English television and , best known as the founding producer of the series from 1963 to 1965. At age 27, she became the 's youngest drama producer and the only woman in that role at the time, overseeing the show's early episodes and establishing its format. Her later credits included producing Adam Adamant Lives! (1966), The Naked Civil Servant (1975), (1976–1977), (1979–1994), and (1991). (born 1985) is an English actress, recognized for her role as in the from 1998 to 2009, with a brief return in 2014. She portrayed the character through major storylines involving family drama and social issues. Rushworth has also appeared in theatre productions, including (2013) as and on the West End (2017). Verity Firth (born 1973) is an academic and former politician, serving as a Labor member of the for Balmain from 2008 to 2011. She held positions as Minister for Education and Training (2008–2011) and Minister Assisting the Premier on Youth (2009–2011), focusing on and disadvantage. Currently, she is Vice-President for Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement at the . Verity Bargate (1940–1981) was an English novelist and theatre director who co-founded the Soho Theatre Company in 1969, serving as its artistic director until 1978. Her novels include No Mama No (1978), Children Crossing (1979), and Tit for Tat (1981), which explored themes of family dynamics and social realism. The Verity Bargate Award for new playwrights was established in her honor by Soho Theatre.

Surname

Origin and meaning

The surname Verity is of English origin, derived from the word verite (from Old French verité), meaning "truth", "righteousness", or "trustworthiness". It likely originated as a for a truthful or reliable person. In , it may also have been a topographic name for someone living near a triangular piece of land, from a derivative of the same word denoting a "triangular plot". The name is predominantly found in , particularly and , with early records post- in 1066. As of recent genealogical data, it is most common in the , with smaller populations in the United States and .

Notable people

Hedley Verity (1905–1943) was an English cricketer who played as a left-arm orthodox spin bowler for Yorkshire and the England national team. He took 1,956 first-class wickets, including 144 in 40 Test matches at an average of 24.37, and is remembered for his 10 wickets for 10 runs in a single innings in 1932. Verity died in action during World War II. Thomas Verity (1837–1891) was an English theatre architect active during the late 19th-century building boom. He designed notable venues including the Criterion Theatre (1870–1873) in Piccadilly Circus, the Empire Theatre in Leicester Square, and the Garrick Theatre, blending French Renaissance styles with English functionality. Anthony Verity (born 1939) is an English classical scholar and educationalist. He served as Headmaster of Bristol Grammar School (1975–1980) and Master of Dulwich College (1986–1995), and has translated works by Homer, including The Iliad and The Odyssey for Oxford World's Classics. Frank Verity (1864–1937), born Francis Thomas Verity, was an English architect specializing in cinemas and theatres. Son of Thomas Verity, he continued the family practice, designing over 150 cinemas during the interwar period, including the Gaumont chain, and modernized several West End theatres.

Other uses

In literature and media

"Verity" is a 2018 by author , originally self-published on December 7, 2018, and republished by in 2021. The story centers on Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling hired to complete the of bestselling author Verity Crawford, who is incapacitated following a car accident. While working in the Crawford home, Lowen discovers a hidden that reveals shocking secrets about Verity's life and , blurring the lines between truth and deception. The has achieved significant commercial success, selling millions of copies and topping bestseller lists, including . An upcoming film adaptation of Hoover's "Verity" is in production by , directed by with a by . Scheduled for theatrical release on May 15, 2026, the movie stars as Verity Crawford, as Lowen Ashleigh, and as Jeremy Crawford. began in early 2025 in . In addition to Hoover's work, "Verity" appears as a character name in several works of fiction. In Agatha Christie's 1971 novel Nemesis, Verity Hunt is a young woman whose mysterious death forms a central unsolved case investigated by Miss Marple; the character was portrayed by Laura Michelle Kelly in the 2007 ITV adaptation episode "Miss Marple: Nemesis." Other notable examples include Verity Kindle, a time-traveling historian in Connie Willis's 1997 Hugo Award-winning science fiction novel To Say Nothing of the Dog, who inadvertently disrupts the timeline by retrieving an artifact from Victorian England. Verity Browne serves as a recurring protagonist in David Roberts's historical mystery series featuring Lord Edward Corinth, beginning with Sweet Poison (2003), where she is depicted as a bold communist journalist navigating 1930s Europe amid political intrigue and murder. In children's literature, Verity-Ann Carey is introduced in Elinor M. Brent-Dyer's Three Go to the Chalet School (1951), part of the long-running Chalet School series, as a reluctant new student at a Swiss boarding school who grapples with adjustment and friendship. Verity Love appears as the introverted protagonist in Annie Darling's 2017 romantic comedy True Love at the Lonely Hearts Bookshop, a Jane Austen enthusiast managing a romance bookstore in London while confronting personal romantic dilemmas.

In art and landmarks

The most prominent artistic representation of "Verity" is a large-scale by British artist , installed in 2012 at Ilfracombe Harbour in , . Titled Verity, the 20.25-meter-tall work depicts a pregnant woman standing on a pile of books, holding a gleaming aloft in one hand while cradling legal scales in the other; one side of the figure reveals exposed internal organs and foetus, symbolizing themes of truth and as interpreted by the artist. Constructed from and , the guards the harbor entrance overlooking the and has become a defining for the town, despite initial controversy among locals who likened its imposing, semi-nude form to a "" figure or an eyesore. Another notable landmark bearing the name Verity is the George M. Verity Monument, a erected in 1947 in , to honor the industrialist who served as president of the American Rolling Mill Company (ARMCO) from 1922 to 1934. The life-sized portrait depicts Verity in a suit with arms at his sides, mounted on a base and wall, measuring approximately 84 x 28 x 18 inches for the figure itself. Located at 703 Curtis Street near the former ARMCO site (now ), the monument commemorates Verity's contributions to the steel industry and stands as a historical within the Middletown industrial landscape.

References

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    Verity by Colleen Hoover | Goodreads
    Rating 4.3 (3,675,020) Dec 7, 2018 · Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime.
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    Verity by Colleen Hoover & | Hachette Book Group
    In stock Free delivery over $35Oct 5, 2021 · Publisher: Grand Central Publishing. ISBN-13: 9781538724743. Price ... Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Verity ...
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    Verity - Colleenhoover.com
    In stock 13–40 day deliveryA standalone romantic thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover. Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin.
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    Colleen Hoover's 'Verity' From Director Michael Showalter Sets May ...
    Mar 24, 2025 · Amazon MGM Studios' film adaptation of the Colleen Hoover-penned psychological thriller "Verity" will be released wide in theaters on May 15 ...
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    Meaning, origin and history of the name Verity
    From the English word meaning "verity, truth", from Latin verus "true, real". This was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans in the 17th century.
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    Verity - Etymology, Origin & Meaning
    Originating in late 14c. Anglo-French and Old French from Latin veritas, meaning truth, sincerity, and loyalty, derived from PIE root *were-o- "true, ...
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    Verity Name Meaning, Origin, History, And Popularity - MomJunction
    May 7, 2024 · According to the data by SSA, the name's popularity picked up steadily from 2008 onwards. It also features on the list of the top 20,000 baby ...
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    Verity - Baby Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity - TheBump.com
    Verity is a girl's name of Latin origin. Verity is defined as meaning “truth” and is part of a long-held tradition in Protestant culture.Missing: etymology | Show results with:etymology
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    Popularity for the name Verity - Behind the Name
    Verity (feminine) ; Year, Rank, Percent Used ; 2024, #408, 0.036 ; 2023, #373, 0.039 ; 2022, #457, 0.031.
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    Verity Name Meaning, Origins & Popularity - Forebears
    Verity Forename Distribution ; England. 100%. 5,885 ; Australia, -, 1,131 ; South Africa. 99%. 627 ; United States. 100%. 481 ...Missing: UK | Show results with:UK
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    Verity - Baby Name, Origin, Meaning, And Popularity - Parenting Patch
    The name Verity is derived from the Latin word 'veritas,' meaning truth. It has been used in English-speaking countries since the 17th century. The name ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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    Baby Name Uniqueness Analyzer: Verity - data·yze
    Verity was the 1777th most popular girls name. · In 2021 there were 113 baby girls named Verity. · 1 out of every 15,748 baby girls born in 2021 are named Verity.
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    BBC Two - An Adventure in Space and Time - Verity Lambert
    Verity Lambert was Doctor Who's first producer. At the time of her involvement with the show, she was the youngest and only female drama producer at the BBC.
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    Lambert, Verity (1935-2007) Biography - BFI Screenonline
    For television, Lambert was executive producer (under her own company banner) for the sitcom series May to December (BBC, 1989-94), featuring Anton Rodgers and ...
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    Verity Rushworth - InterTalent
    Verity is a stage and screen actress best known for playing series regular Donna Windsor in ITV's Emmerdale from 1998 to 2009 and most recently Lily Walker ...
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    Emmerdale Donna Windsor star's life 10 years after devastating ITV ...
    Dec 5, 2024 · Verity Rushworth starred in Emmerdale as Donna Windsor from 1998 until 2009 after taking over the role from another actress.
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    Professor Verity Firth AM - UNSW Sydney
    Firth was NSW Minister for Education and Training from 2008 – 2011, where she focused on equity in education, and how to best address educational disadvantage ...
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    The Hon. Verity Helen FIRTH, BA, LLB, AM - NSW Parliament
    The Hon. Verity Helen FIRTH, BA, LLB, AM. Member Photo. Date of Birth: 28/08/1973. Place of Birth: Date of Death ...
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    Firth, Verity Helen | AWR - The Australian Women's Register
    A councillor for the City of Sydney, Verity Firth stood as a candidate for the Australian Labor Party in the seat of Balmain at the New South Wales state ...
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    The Estate of Verity Bargate - The Agency
    Verity Bargate (1940-1981) was an English writer and theatre director. Her three novels No Mama No (1978), Children Crossing (1979), and Tit for Tat (1981) ...
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    Verity Bargate - Person - National Portrait Gallery
    Verity Bargate. (1940-1981), Novelist and theatre director; Founder of the Soho Theatre. Sitter in 1 portrait. In 1969 Bargate established the Soho Theatre ...
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    Dakota Johnson, Josh Hartnett Join Colleen Hoover's Verity
    Dec 20, 2024 · Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett are set to star in Colleen Hoover's next book-to-movie adaptation, “Verity.”
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    'Verity' by Damien Hirst - Visit Ilfracombe
    A 66 foot stainless steel and bronze sculpture named Verity, created by world famous artist Damien Hirst, stands on the pier at the entrance to the harbour.
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    Damien Hirst's Verity statue: 'It's a bit Hannibal Lecter' - The Guardian
    Oct 17, 2012 · Residents of Ilfracombe in North Devon offer their forthright views on the controversial artist's latest creation
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    Verity | The Carlton Hotel Ilfracombe
    Damien Hirst's Verity stands proudly on Ilfracombe Pier, guarding the harbour entrance and looking out over the Bristol Channel.
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    Damien Hirst's Verity is the Public Sculpture We Deserve
    Jan 6, 2019 · A controversial seaside eyesore, this sculpture in Ilfracombe, Devon, embodies the false promise of gentrification, the capricious back and ...
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    George M. Verity Monument, (sculpture). - SIRIS-Art Inventories
    Title: George M. Verity Monument, (sculpture). ; Dates: 1947. ; Medium: Figure: bronze; Base: granite; Wall: granite. ; Dimensions: Figure: approx. 84 x 28 x 18 in ...
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    The George M. Verity Monument · Ohio Outdoor Sculpture
    Larger than life portrait of George M. Verity. Dressed in a suit he stands with his arms at his side. Location: 703 Curtis Street County : Butler