Valerie

Strong, healthy — a girl name of French origin

GenderGirl
OriginFrench
MeaningStrong, healthy
PronunciationVAL-er-ee

Popularity of Valerie in the United States

#127Rank in 2025
2,221Births in 2025
#60 in 1959Peak Popularity
→ Stable10-Year Trend

Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.

Meaning & Origin of Valerie

Valerie is the French form of Valeria, ultimately derived from the Latin "valere," meaning "to be strong" or "healthy." The name entered English usage in the medieval period but became especially fashionable in the 20th century, peaking in the 1950s and 1960s in the United States and United Kingdom. It has a soft, romantic sound that has kept it in steady, if quieter, use in recent decades. The name's enduring appearance in popular songs and film has helped preserve its recognition across generations.

Valerie Around the World

Valerie is used in 2 languages worldwide, with 10+ international variants.

Languages
DutchCzech
Details

TypeFemale given name

International Variants
ValeriaGerman
WaleriaPolish
ValérieFrench
Waleska
ValerijaSlovene
ValériaFrench
Valarie
Val
ValèriaCatalan
ValeriyaRussian

Linguistic data: Wikidata (CC0). Variants and language usage may vary by region.

Nicknames for Valerie

ValVallieRie

Famous People Named Valerie

  • Valerie Bertinelli — American actress
  • Valerie Harper — American actress
  • Valerie Plame — former CIA officer

Sibling Name Ideas for Valerie

Looking for names that pair well with Valerie? Here are some sibling name suggestions that share a similar style and feel.

MichaelAndreaNicoleJonathanStephanie

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Valerie mean?

Valerie is a girl name of French origin meaning "Strong, healthy." Valerie is the French form of Valeria, ultimately derived from the Latin "valere," meaning "to be strong" or "healthy." The name entered English usage in the medieval period but became especially fashionable in the 20th century, peaking in the 1950s and 1960s in the United States and United Kingdom.

How do you pronounce Valerie?

Valerie is pronounced VAL-er-ee. Common variations include Valeria, Valery, Valeriya.

Is Valerie a girl name?

Yes, Valerie is traditionally a girl name. Popular nicknames include Val, Vallie, Rie.

Need More Name Ideas?

Like Valerie? Our AI Name Generator suggests personalized baby names based on your preferences, surname, and cultural background.

Try Baby Name Generator