The name Veronica is a Latin alteration of Berenice, influenced by the ecclesiastical Latin phrase 'vera icon' meaning 'true image'. It is associated with a legendary saint who wiped Jesus' face with a towel, leaving his image imprinted on it. This story contributed to the name's occasional use in the Christian world during the Middle Ages. The name gained more widespread popularity in the 19th century when it was imported from France and Scotland.