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Home › Baby Names Directory › Val

Val

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Val

Pronounced VAL /ˈvæl/High

Meaning: A pet form of Valentine/Valerian — from Latin valens, 'strong, healthy, vigorous, worthy'; here for boys; used for both sexesMedium

In 30 seconds: Strong; healthy: Val pets Valentine — 'strong, healthy, vigorous'. Crisp, friendly, and warm. Used for both sexes.
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Origin MediumLatin
MeaningA pet form of Valentine/Valerian — from Latin valens, 'strong, healthy, vigorous, worthy'; here for boys; used for both sexes
U.S. rank (2025)#4692 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births22 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1952
Total births (all-time)≈ 5,634
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Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195218822025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Val is a pet form of Valentine, Valerian, or Valdemar — from Latin valens, 'strong, healthy, vigorous, worthy'. A crisp, friendly short name, used for both sexes, here for boys (slug distinguished; the actor Val Kilmer; said 'VAL').

It registers thinly in records. Rare, strong-and-healthy at the root, and friendly.

Did you know? Valentine/Valerian mean 'strong, healthy, vigorous' (Latin valens) — Val is a crisp short form, used for both sexes (the actor Val Kilmer; here for boys; said 'VAL').
Overall data confidence 60%
References — Val — pet form

Variations

ValentineValerianVallie

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Val…

Valentin— a name it pets
Hal— a fellow short -al boys' name
Cal— another short -al boys' name
Sol— another Latin name
Vince— shares Val's Latin roots

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Val mean?

Val pets Valentine/Valerian — Latin 'strong, healthy, vigorous'.

How do you pronounce Val?

It's said VAL /ˈvæl/ — one syllable.

Is Val a boy or girl name?

Val is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Val?

Val is a rare name in the U.S.

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