Vala

♀ Girl

Pronounced VAH-luh /ˈvɑː.lə/Medium

Meaning: Vala is an Icelandic girls' name, generally connected to Old Norse volva — a seeress or prophetess — and also used as a short form of names in Val-. Separately, in J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium a Vala is one of the great powers (plural Valar), which some families know it from. Both routes are worth naming honestly.Low

In 30 seconds: An Icelandic name tied to Old Norse volva, a seeress — and a word in Tolkien's world (said 'VAH-luh').

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Origin MediumIcelandic, Old Norse

MeaningVala is an Icelandic girls' name, generally connected to Old Norse volva — a seeress or prophetess — and also used as a short form of names in Val-. Separately, in J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium a Vala is one of the great powers (plural Valar), which some families know it from. Both routes are worth naming honestly.

U.S. rank (2023)#13353 ↘ Falling

2023 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2011

Total births (all-time)≈ 206

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Vala is an established Icelandic girls' name, usually connected to Old Norse volva, 'seeress,' and also used as a short form of Val- names. Readers of Tolkien will separately know Vala as the singular of Valar, the great powers of his legendarium. We give both routes honestly rather than blending them (said 'VAH-luh').

It appears only rarely for girls in the U.S., while remaining familiar in Iceland. Rare, Norse, and strong.

Did you know? In Iceland, Vala is a real and current girls' name, linked to the Old Norse volva or seeress. In Tolkien's legendarium, a Vala is one of the great powers of the world — the singular of Valar. Both associations are genuine, and we note both (said 'VAH-luh').

Overall data confidence 42%

References — Vala — Icelandic name; Old Norse volva 'seeress'; Tolkien Vala/Valar noted separately

Variations

VallaValgerdurValdis

Nicknames

ValVallyLala

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Vala mean?

Vala is an Icelandic name generally linked to Old Norse volva, 'seeress'; in Tolkien's legendarium a Vala is also one of the great powers.

How do you pronounce Vala?

It's said VAH-luh /ˈvɑː.lə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Vala a boy or girl name?

Vala is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Vala?

Vala is a rare name for girls in the U.S., though familiar in Iceland.