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Valentine

♂ Boy

Pronounced VAL-un-tyn /ˈvæl.ən.taɪn/High

Meaning: Strong; healthy; vigorous; from Latin Valentinus (from valens: strong, powerful, healthy)High

In 30 seconds: A Latin name meaning 'strong' and 'healthy' from valens (vigorous, powerful). Saint Valentine's association with romantic love transformed this name of muscular strength into the world's most universally recognized symbol of affection.

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Origin HighLatin

MeaningStrong; healthy; vigorous; from Latin Valentinus (from valens: strong, powerful, healthy)

U.S. rank (2025)#1807 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births89 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1918

Total births (all-time)≈ 6,711

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

Valentine is from Latin Valentinus (from valens: strong, vigorous, healthy). Several early Christian martyrs bore this name. The association between Saint Valentine and romantic love was established by Chaucer in Parlement of Foules (c.1380) and has grown ever since.

Valentine ranked #2467 for boys in 2024. It is used both as a given name and as a holiday concept name.

Did you know? Saint Valentine (d. c.269 CE) has at least three possible historical identities — the connection between Valentine and romantic love appears to have been invented by Geoffrey Chaucer around 1380, who wrote that birds choose their mates on Saint Valentine's Day. So the world's most celebrated romantic tradition was invented by the man who also invented English literary culture.

Overall data confidence 94%

Behind the Name — Valentine — Latin etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

ValentinValentino

Nicknames

ValTino

Famous Bearers

★Saint Valentine (died c.269)
Early Christian martyr (or martyrs — at least three saints bear this name). The link between Saint Valentine and romantic love is associated with Geoffrey Chaucer's writings around 1380.

If you like Valentine…

Valentin— the French/Spanish form of the same name

Valentino— the Italian form with the same strength meaning

Valen— the shortened Val- form in the same family

Damian— three-syllable -ian ending name with the same classical feel

Fabian— three-syllable Latin saint name with the same Roman heritage

Explore names like Valentine

By themelatin three-syllable strong saint romantic roman

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Valentine mean?

Valentine means 'strong,' 'healthy,' or 'vigorous,' from Latin Valentinus (valens: powerful, healthy).

How do you pronounce Valentine?

It's said VAL-un-tyn /ˈvæl.ən.taɪn/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Valentine a boy or girl name?

Valentine is used as a boy's name historically, though it appears for both sexes.

How popular is Valentine?

Valentine ranked #2467 for U.S. boys in 2024.