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Valerie Girl

Popularity: #145 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationVAL-uh-ree / ˈvæləri

Latin; French

Meaning

Latin: strong; French: brave

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Valerie has its roots in the Latin word "valere," which means "to be strong" or "to be healthy." This etymological origin can be traced back to the Roman name Valerius, which was borne by several notable figures in ancient Rome. The name Valeria, the feminine form of Valerius, emerged in the Roman Empire and was used by early Christians, contributing to its spread throughout Europe. The transition into English occurred through the influence of the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, as the name was adopted into Old French as "Valérie" before making its way into Middle English.

Historically, the name Valerie has been associated with several saints, most notably Saint Valeria, who is venerated in the Christian tradition. Her feast day is celebrated on different dates in various regions, reflecting the name's significance in early Christian communities. The name gained further prominence through its inclusion in literary works and translations, such as the King James Bible, which helped to solidify its presence in English-speaking cultures.

Culturally, Valerie embodies themes of strength and health, resonating with the virtues of resilience and vitality. This association has allowed the name to endure across generations. In addition to its historical and religious significance, Valerie has also inspired various diminutive forms, such as Val or Vally, which have been used affectionately in different cultures. The name's rich linguistic and cultural heritage contributes to its lasting appeal, reflecting a blend of strength and femininity that has been celebrated throughout history.

Trend Summary

Valerie experienced significant popularity in the mid-20th century in the United States, but has seen a decline in recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Valery
  • Val
  • Vally

International Variants

  • Valérie (French)
  • Valerija (Slavic)
  • Valeria (Italian/Spanish)

Famous people named Valerie

Valerie Bertinelli is an actress best known for One Day at a Time, Hot in Cleveland, and Valerie's Home Cooking.

Valerie Plame is a former CIA officer best known for her role in the CIA leak scandal and her memoir Fair Game.

Valerie June is a singer-songwriter best known for her albums Pushin' Against a Stone, The Order of Time, and The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers.

Fictional characters named Valerie

Valerie is a fictional character from the graphic novel and film V for Vendetta. She is a pivotal figure whose story highlights themes of oppression and resistance against a totalitarian regime.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Valerie was first seen in the United States in 1884. Valerie has ranked as high as #117 nationally, which occurred in 1959, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. In the past 5 years the name Valerie has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Valerie (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 325
17%
TX 239
12%
FL 187
10%
NY 105
5%
NJ 74
4%
NC 71
4%
OH 65
3%
IL 62
3%
GA 62
3%
PA 58
3%
VA 55
3%
AZ 50
3%
WA 43
2%
MA 42
2%
MN 37
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18848
18877
18885
188912
189012
189112
189211
189310
189417
189519
189611
189716
189821
189912
190021
190119
190219
190317
190427
190525
190625
190731
190828
190947
191045
191158
191287
1913116
1914103
1915171
1916179
1917182
1918202
1919171
1920170
1921190
1922147
1923155
1924172
1925151
1926171
1927195
1928179
1929180
1930222
1931244
1932276
1933293
1934319
1935486
1936453
1937494
1938551
1939622
1940799
1941752
19421,017
1943955
1944915
19451,079
19461,440
19471,553
19482,132
19493,052
19503,026
19513,559
19524,263
19534,591
19544,917
19555,512
19565,910
19576,231
19586,919
19597,304
19606,717
19616,675
19626,335
19636,173
19646,616
19655,649
19664,815
19674,757
19684,552
19694,298
19704,130
19713,680
19723,193
19733,042
19743,182
19753,227
19763,386
19773,265
19783,299
19793,407
19803,613
19813,611
19823,989
19833,902
19843,722
19853,881
19863,618
19872,964
19882,768
19892,562
19902,428
19912,380
19922,350
19932,175
19942,010
19952,182
19962,082
19972,224
19982,142
19992,038
20002,017
20011,982
20022,107
20031,913
20041,905
20052,035
20062,752
20072,424
20082,505
20092,321
20102,065
20111,957
20121,863
20131,880
20141,886
20151,880
20161,966
20171,824
20181,801
20191,890
20201,881
20211,840
20221,986
20231,951
20241,985