Val
Val is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Strong, healthy, or worthy.
Origin and history
Val is a short form of names derived from the Latin root 'valere', such as Valentine, Valerius, or Valery. Although often used as a masculine nickname, it has also appeared as an independent given name in the United States since the late 19th century. Today, Val remains a rare, unisex choice with classic roots.
Popularity in the United States
5,657 babies in the United States have been named Val since 1880. It ranks #1612 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1837.
States where it is most popular
- UT (31.4 %)
- CA (24.6 %)
- TX (8.2 %)
- ID (8 %)
- NY (6.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 15 |
| 1890-1900 | 19 |
| 1900-1910 | 56 |
| 1910-1920 | 237 |
| 1920-1930 | 436 |
| 1930-1940 | 701 |
| 1940-1950 | 972 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,475 |
| 1960-1970 | 801 |
| 1970-1980 | 356 |
| 1980-1990 | 147 |
| 1990-2000 | 151 |
| 2000-2010 | 119 |
| 2010-2019 | 82 |
| 2020-2029 | 90 |
Famous people named Val
- Val Kilmer: Actor
- Val Fitch: Physicist, Nobel Laureate
- Val Bettin: Actor, Voice Actor
Fun facts
- Val originated as a short form for masculine names like Valentine and Valerian, as well as feminine names like Valerie.
- The name ultimately traces back to the Latin verb 'valere', meaning to be strong or healthy.