Vaiva is a Lithuanian female given name of Baltic origin. It is a shortening of vaivorykà ¡tà(English rainbow). A rainbow was considered one of the manifestations of the Pagan destiny goddess Laima. Vaiva's father, according to Baltic mythology, is Perkà «nas. The name was popularised by V.KrÃÂvÃÂ-MickeviÃÂius tale "Perkà «nas, Vaiva ir Straublys" written in 1922.
In myth, the bride of Perkà «nas was a Laumàcalled Vaiva. The rainbow was called the ribbon of Vaiva. Despite her marriage, she had a beloved singer named Straublys. Straublys had stolen the ribbon of Vaiva. During the rain, Straublys stretches the ribbon of Vaiva across the sky, while Perkà «nas is angry and shouts in thunder. It was believed it is the rainbow that causes the rain, while Lithuanian shepherds had a prayer or curse by which the rainbow had to turn to pieces and make the rain go away.
Notable people with the name include: