Girl name · Latin
Valerie
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: to be strongValerie is a girl's name that comes from Latin and means "to be strong". It is used in English, German and French.
- Meaning
- To be strong
- Origin
- Latin
- Gender
- Girl
- US rank
- #127 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Valerie
As a girl's name, Valerie comes from Latin and means "to be strong". It is used in English, German and French. In French it is spelled Valérie.
In French, say vah-lay-REE. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Its meaning puts Valerie on our names that mean strong list.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Valerie on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Valerie on 3 lists.
“To be strong; Latin. Say vah-lay-REE”
From French girl names, retro French female names from the 1950s to the 1970s
“To be strong; the English and French form of Valeria”
From Names that mean strong, girl names that mean strong
“To be strong; Latin. A mid-century favorite with real backbone”
From Strong female names, girl names that mean strong
How popular is Valerie?
- US rank in 2025
- #127
- 2,221 babies, 1,382 per million girls
- Best rank
- #60 in 1959
- 7,302 babies that year
- Babies since 1884
- At least 273,229
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 24 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 63 per million |
| 1900s | 88 per million |
| 1910s | 161 per million |
| 1920s | 143 per million |
| 1930s | 371 per million |
| 1940s | 945 per million |
| 1950s | 2,715 per million |
| 1960s | 3,098 per million |
| 1970s | 2,188 per million |
| 1980s | 2,016 per million |
| 1990s | 1,223 per million |
| 2000s | 1,189 per million |
| 2010s | 1,086 per million |
| 2020s | 1,221 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #160 | #167 | #156 | #151 | #144 | #155 | #148 | #144 | #147 | #127 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Valerie
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- ValeriaTo be strong (Latin, girl)
- ValeriyaTo be strong (Latin, girl)
Names with a similar meaning
- ValentinaStrong, healthy (Latin, girl)
- ValentinStrong, healthy (Latin, boy)
- ArmstrongStrong in the arm (English, boy)
- IphigeniaStrong-born (Greek, girl)
- ValentineStrong, healthy (Latin, unisex)
- ValentinoStrong, healthy (Latin, boy)
- AmalasuinthaStrong in work (Gothic, girl)
- BerenStrong, smart (Turkish, girl)
- BerkayStrong moon (Turkish, boy)
- BurkhardStrong fortress (Germanic, boy)
Middle names for Valerie
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
More girl names from Latin
- LauraLaurel tree (Latin, girl)
- OliviaOlive tree (Latin, girl)
- CarinaDear, beloved (Latin, girl)
- EmiliaRival, striving to equal (Latin, girl)
- FloraFlower, blossom (Latin, girl)
- MarinaOf the sea (Latin, girl)
- ReginaQueen (Latin, girl)
- CelesteHeavenly, of the sky (Latin, girl)
- ClaraClear, bright (Latin, girl)
- DianaDivine, heavenly (Latin, girl)
Valerie: common questions
What does the name Valerie mean?
Valerie comes from Latin and means "to be strong".
Is Valerie a boy or girl name?
Valerie is mainly a girl's name.
Where does the name Valerie come from?
Valerie comes from Latin and means "to be strong". Today it is used in English, German and French.
How popular is the name Valerie?
Valerie ranked #127 in the US in 2025, with 2,221 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Valerie?
Forms of Valerie with the same meaning and origin include Valeria (Italian) and Valeriya (Russian).
What middle names go with Valerie?
Middle names that flow well with Valerie include Blair, Gemma, Jean, Lily and Mercy. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.