"strength, health"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Valerie
Pronunciation: [ v-AL-er-ee ]
Does Valerie flow with your last name?
Roman strength, French elegance
French
Latin
English
American
Classic
French
Gender Neutral
Strong
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Valerie
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Valerie
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"to be strong"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Valerie
See all →What the Valerie report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Valerie the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Valerie
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Valerie head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Valerie actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- primarily considered a girl's name in modern Anglophone contexts
The Story of Valerie
Valerie derives from the Latin 'Valerius,' an ancient Roman family name meaning 'strength' or 'health' (from 'valere,' to be strong). In ancient Rome, Valerius was a distinguished patrician name borne by consuls and emperors. The name was used for both men and women in the Roman tradition — Valeria was a Roman empress, while Valerius was a common masculine form. In French culture, Valerie (masculine: Valéry) has remained gender-neutral, as seen in French poet Paul Valéry.
In the Anglophone world, Valerie became predominantly feminine in the 20th century. However, in French and Eastern European countries, the masculine form Valéry has always remained in use. Parents using Valerie for a boy today are drawing on this broader European tradition.
Paul Valéry (1871-1945), one of France's greatest poets and thinkers, carried the masculine Valéry form into the 20th century. The Roman Valerii were one of the most prestigious patrician families, with roots stretching to the founding of the Roman Republic.
Historical Record
Valerie first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 659 babies have been named Valerie in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Valerie is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #23,484 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Latin root 'valere' (to be strong/healthy) also gives us valor, valid, value, and Valentine
- Paul Valéry, who bore the masculine form of this name, is considered one of the greatest French poets of the 20th century
- The Roman Gens Valeria was one of the oldest and most distinguished patrician families, producing multiple consuls in the Roman Republic
Valerie in Other Languages
Latin
Valerius
French
Valéry/Valérie
Italian
Valerio/Valeria
Russian
Валерий
Spanish
Valerio/Valeria
Popularity Over Time
#23,484
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Bufard
Boy
"bright ford, river crossing"
#23,417
Jamason
Boy
"son of James"
#23,545
Lovelace
Boy
"one without bonds, free spirit"
#23,369
Lyndel
Boy
"linden tree valley"
#23,423
Delmon
Boy
"of the mountain"
#23,335
Compare Valerie with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #23,484
- Total SSA Count
- 6
- Cultural Origins
- French Latin English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Val
Rye
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Valerie
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Valerie fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Valerie is also used as a girl name, ranked #147.
View Valerie as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Valerie →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Valerie with...
Same Origin Names (French)
See all French names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Valerie
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Valerie and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Valerie sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Bufard
Boy
Old English origin
"bright ford, river crossing"
#23,417 in US
Jamason
Boy
English origin
"son of James"
#23,545 in US
Lovelace
Boy
English origin
"one without bonds, free spirit"
#23,369 in US
Lyndel
Boy
Old English origin
"linden tree valley"
#23,423 in US
Delmon
Boy
Old French del mont origin
"of the mountain"
#23,335 in US
Freeland
Boy
Old English origin
"free land, land without feudal obliga..."
#23,351 in US
Famous
Boy
Latin via English origin
"widely known, celebrated, renowned"
#23,418 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Valerie's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Valerie
What does the name Valerie mean?
"strength, health" (from Latin). "to be strong" (from Latin). Valerie derives from the Latin 'Valerius,' an ancient Roman family name meaning 'strength' or 'health' (from 'valere,' to be strong). In ancient Rome, Valerius was a distinguished patrician name borne by consuls and emperors. The name was used for both men and women in the Roman tradition — Valeria was a Roman empress, while Valerius was a common masculine form. In French culture, Valerie (masculine: Valéry) has remained gender-neutral, as seen in French poet Paul Valéry.
What is the origin of the name Valerie?
Valerie has Latin, French, English, and American origins. In Latin, it means "strength, health". In Latin, it means "to be strong".
Is Valerie a boy or girl name?
Valerie is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #23484. As a girl name, it is ranked #147. Valerie is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Valerie?
Valerie is pronounced v-AL-er-ee.
How popular is the name Valerie?
Valerie is currently ranked #23484 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Valerie?
Common nicknames for Valerie include Val and Rye.
What are good middle names for Valerie?
Popular middle name pairings include Valerie James, Valerie Thomas, Valerie Charles, Valerie Hugo, and Valerie Pierre.
What are good sibling names for Valerie?
Names that pair well with Valerie as siblings include Alexis, Remy, Dominique, Claude, and Camille.
How many syllables does Valerie have?
Valerie has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Valerie a common or rare name?
Valerie is an uncommon name, ranked #23484 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Valerie?
About the Name Valerie
Valerie is a boy name with French, Latin, English, and American origins . The name means "strength, health" in Latin .
Is Valerie a boy or girl name? Valerie is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #23,484 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #147. Valerie is more commonly used as a girl name.
Valerie is currently ranked #23,484 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Valerie has 3 syllables and is pronounced v-AL-er-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Valerie include Val and Rye. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Valerie include Valentino, Valentin, Valen, Valentine, Valente . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Latin Names
Browse all names with this origin
V
Names Starting with V
More boy names like Valerie
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis