"worthy, powerful"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Valentine
Pronunciation: [ v-AL-uhnt-eyen ]
Boy Name
#2,463 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
4 Syllables
The saint who gave his name to love itself
French
English
Italian
American
Romantic
Classic
Elegant
Bold
Meaning & Origin
Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Valentine's Day; may face teasing or expectations around romantic associations
The Story of Valentine
Valentine derives from the Latin name Valentinus, related to 'valens' meaning strong, healthy, or powerful. Saint Valentine was a Roman Christian martyr executed around 269 CE, whose feast day on February 14th became associated with romantic love in the Middle Ages through the writings of Geoffrey Chaucer. The name has been used for both boys and girls throughout history.
Valentine is experiencing a revival as a first name, particularly in France where it remains popular for both genders. In English-speaking countries, it's making a comeback as an unusual, romantic choice. Its association with love is now seen as a feature rather than a drawback.
Saint Valentine is the patron saint of lovers, beekeepers, and epileptics. The holiday that bears his name is one of the most commercially significant dates in the Western calendar. For boys, Valentine has a particularly bold quality — a romantic name with strong Latin roots.
Fun Facts
- Saint Valentine's feast day on February 14 has been associated with romantic love since Chaucer's 14th-century poem
- There were at least three early Christian martyrs named Valentine
- Valentine is one of the few holiday names that works for boys
Valentine in Other Languages
French
Valentin
German
Valentin
Italian
Valentino
Russian
Валентин
Spanish
Valentín
Famous People Named Valentine
V
Valentino Rossi
Athlete
1979
Italian motorcycle racing legend with nine world championship titles
S
Saint Valentine
Religious
Roman Christian martyr whose feast day on February 14 is celebrated worldwide as Valentine's Day
V
Valentine Wiggin Fictional
Other
Brilliant strategist and sister of Ender Wiggin in Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game series
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #2,463
- Total SSA Count
- 56
- Cultural Origins
- French English Italian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Val
Vali
Tine
Pairs Well With
Valentine James
Valentine Louis
Valentine Pierre
Valentine Henri
Valentine Sebastien
Valentine Emile
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Valentine is also used as a girl name, ranked #3119.
View Valentine as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Valentine
What does the name Valentine mean?
"worthy, powerful" (from Latin). Valentine derives from the Latin name Valentinus, related to 'valens' meaning strong, healthy, or powerful. Saint Valentine was a Roman Christian martyr executed around 269 CE, whose feast day on February 14th became associated with romantic love in the Middle Ages through the writings of Geoffrey Chaucer. The name has been used for both boys and girls throughout history.
What is the origin of the name Valentine?
Valentine has Latin, French, English, Italian, and American origins. In Latin, it means "worthy, powerful".
Is Valentine a boy or girl name?
Valentine is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2463. As a girl name, it is ranked #3119. Valentine is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Valentine?
Valentine is pronounced v-AL-uhnt-eyen.
How popular is the name Valentine?
Valentine is currently ranked #2463 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Valentine?
Common nicknames for Valentine include Val, Vali, and Tine.
What are good middle names for Valentine?
Popular middle name pairings include Valentine James, Valentine Louis, Valentine Pierre, Valentine Henri, Valentine Sebastien, and Valentine Emile.
What are good sibling names for Valentine?
Names that pair well with Valentine as siblings include Genevieve, Celestine, Maxime, Isolde, Florian, and Rosalie.
How many syllables does Valentine have?
Valentine has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Valentine a common or rare name?
Valentine is an uncommon name, ranked #2463 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Valentine
Valentine is a boy name with French, English, Italian, and American origins . The name means "worthy, powerful" in Latin .
Is Valentine a boy or girl name? Valentine is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,463 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #3,119. Valentine is more commonly used as a boy name.
Valentine is currently ranked #2,463 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Valentine has 4 syllables and is pronounced v-AL-uhnt-eyen, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Valentine include Val, Vali, and Tine. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Valentine include Valentino, Valentin, Valen, Valente, Valerio . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.