these names seem to be quite popular with russian women, and they sound much alike. is it true that Vera is diminutive from Veronika? or these are different names?

No, they are different names!
Diminutives from Vera are Verochka, Verka, Verunya.
And the diminutives from Veronika are Nika, Nikusya, Nikusha.

Vera is a full name without further shortenings.
Veronika has short variants - Vera and Nika.
But both names are different just like Alyona and Lena, even though “Alyona” is a variation of “Lena”. But still in passports they fix them as different names - Elena and Alyona.
The same is here. It’s difficult to give an unambiguous reply.

babochka - 05 April 2011 12:50 AM

Veronika has short variants - Vera and Nika

NIKA is actually an individual and full name.

so… if i got you all right, Vera and Veronika are two different names, but nonetheless Vera can be a diminutive form of Veronika? right??

Yes! Absolutely right!

it’s a total mess with all those full and diminutive name, don’t even try to figure out - you’ll never guess anyway