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Valerie

♀ Girl

Pronounced VAL-er-ee /ˈvæl.ər.i/High

Meaning: Strong; vigorous; healthy — from the Roman family name <em>Valerius</em>, from Latin <em>valere</em> (to be strong, to be well)High

In 30 seconds: From the Latin for 'strong' and 'healthy,' Valerie was borne by Roman saints and popularized through France. A warm, enduring classic with a 1960s–70s heyday in the U.S., it retains a timeless, strong-but-gentle appeal.
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Origin HighLatin, French
MeaningStrong; vigorous; healthy — from the Roman family name <em>Valerius</em>, from Latin <em>valere</em> (to be strong, to be well)
Peak year1959
Total births (all-time)≈ 257,604

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195918842017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Valerie is the French form of Valeria, the feminine of the Roman family name Valerius, from Latin valere (to be strong, to be in good health). The Valerii were an ancient patrician gens in Rome. Saint Valeria of Milan, a 1st-century martyr, spread the name through the Christian world.

Valerie was popular in France through the medieval period and entered English use in the 19th century. It had a strong U.S. run from the 1950s through the 1970s, peaking around 1960. While less dominant now, it has maintained steady use and is associated with timeless, mid-century elegance.

Did you know? The Monkees recorded the song 'Valerie' (1968), and it was later re-recorded as a hit by Steve Winwood (1987) and covered by Amy Winehouse (2006–07), keeping the name in musical culture across generations.

Variations

ValeriaValérieVal

Nicknames

ValVally

Famous Bearers

  • ★Valerie Bertinelli (b. 1960)
    American actress and television personality, known for <em>One Day at a Time</em>.

If you like Valerie…

Vivian— similarly elegant three-syllable Latin classic with a V opening
Melanie— three-syllable classic with the same warm, timeless feel
Caroline— equally graceful classic that shares Valerie's mid-century pedigree

Frequently Asked

What does the name Valerie mean?

Valerie comes from the Latin <em>valere</em> meaning 'to be strong' or 'to be healthy,' via the Roman family name Valerius.

How do you pronounce Valerie?

Valerie is pronounced VAL-er-ee /ˈvæl.ər.i/ — three syllables with stress on the first.

Is Valerie a boy or girl name?

Valerie is a feminine name. The masculine form is Valerio or Valerius.

How popular is Valerie?

Valerie peaked in U.S. popularity around 1960 and has maintained steady use ever since, consistently ranking in the top 200 girls' names.