Valerie
Valerie is a girl's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
To be strong, healthy, or brave.
Origin and history
Valerie is an English and French form of the Roman name Valeria, derived from the Latin verb valere. It was introduced to the English-speaking world via French usage and gained strong popularity throughout the 20th century. In the United States, it remains a well-known classic name with consistent modern usage.
Popularity in the United States
273,229 babies in the United States have been named Valerie since 1880. It ranks #145 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #143.
States where it is most popular
- CA (16.2 %)
- NY (9.6 %)
- TX (8.7 %)
- IL (5.4 %)
- PA (5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 32 |
| 1890-1900 | 141 |
| 1900-1910 | 259 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,314 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,710 |
| 1930-1940 | 3,960 |
| 1940-1950 | 13,694 |
| 1950-1960 | 52,230 |
| 1960-1970 | 56,588 |
| 1970-1980 | 33,810 |
| 1980-1990 | 34,629 |
| 1990-2000 | 22,012 |
| 2000-2010 | 21,962 |
| 2010-2019 | 19,013 |
| 2020-2029 | 11,875 |
Famous people named Valerie
- Valerie Bertinelli: Actress, Television Host
- Valerie Harper: Actress
- Valerie Jarrett: Public Official, Business Executive
Nicknames
Val, Vallie, Valerie
Fun facts
- Valerie derives from the Roman family name Valerius, which was borne by prominent ancient Roman patricians.
- The name inspired major pop songs, including Steve Winwood's 1982 hit and Amy Winehouse's famous 2007 cover of the Zutons track.