Vegas Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: VAY-gas //ˈveɪɡəs//
Origin: Spanish; English
Meaning: Spanish: 'meadow'; English: 'from the meadow'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name "Vegas" has its roots in the Spanish language, deriving from the term "vega," which means a fertile plain or meadow. This term itself can be traced back to the Latin word "vacca," meaning cow, which reflects the agricultural significance of the land in regions where the name is used.
The transition from Latin to Spanish occurred during the medieval period, as the Iberian Peninsula underwent significant linguistic evolution influenced by the Visigoths and later the Moors. The name entered English primarily through the incorporation of Spanish place names, particularly during the 19th and 20th centuries, as the American West was explored and developed.
Historically, the term "Vegas" is most notably associated with Las Vegas, Nevada, which was founded in the mid-19th century. The area was originally named by Spanish explorers in the 1820s, who recognized the lush meadows in the desert landscape.
The establishment of Las Vegas as a city in 1905 marked a significant milestone in its history, leading to its eventual transformation into a major cultural and entertainment hub in the 20th century. The name has since become emblematic of leisure and excess, particularly in the context of gambling and tourism.
Culturally, the name "Vegas" resonates with themes of abundance and prosperity, reflecting the fertile origins of its etymology. The association with Las Vegas has imbued the name with a sense of excitement and adventure, often linked to the vibrant nightlife and entertainment industry that the city is known for.
While diminutive forms or variations of the name are not widely recognized, the name's strong ties to its geographical and cultural significance have ensured its lasting presence in the lexicon of place names and personal names alike.
Fictional characters named Vegas
The following list of fictional characters named Vegas is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Vegas is a fictional character from the video game series Final Fantasy. He is a prominent character in the game Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus, serving as a member of the organization known as AVALANCHE.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Vegas, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Vegas. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Vegas was first seen in the United States in 1979.
Vegas has ranked as high as #1375 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in California.
In the past 5 years the name Vegas has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Vegas is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Vegas was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Vegas (2003)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Vegas.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2022 | 18 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2017 | 17 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2015 | 11 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2012 | 17 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2008 | 13 |
| 2007 | 15 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2005 | 13 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2003 | 15 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 1994 | 5 |
| 1986 | 5 |
| 1981 | 11 |
| 1980 | 7 |
| 1979 | 5 |