Valerie
Valerie first appears in US records in 1884. It peaked in 1959, when 7,302 girls were given the name; in 2025 there were 2,221.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Valerie popular?
Steady Valerie has held fairly steady over the past decade, after peaking in 1959.
| 2020s | 11,875 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 19,013 | |
| 2000s | 21,962 | |
| 1990s | 22,012 | |
| 1980s | 34,629 | |
| 1970s | 33,810 | |
| 1960s | 56,588 | |
| 1950s | 52,230 | |
| 1940s | 13,694 | |
| 1930s | 3,960 | |
| 1920s | 1,710 | |
| 1910s | 1,314 | |
| 1900s | 259 | |
| 1890s | 141 | |
| 1880s | 32 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Valerie mean?
Valerie comes from the Roman family name Valerius, from the Latin valere, “to be strong, healthy.” The French Valérie gave the modern spelling.
Nicknames for Valerie
- Val
Variants & spellings
- Valeria
- Valérie
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
Is Valerie a boy or a girl name?
Valerie is most commonly used as a girl name.
Is Valerie a popular name right now?
Valerie has held fairly steady over the past decade, after peaking in 1959.
How popular is the name Valerie?
In 2025, Valerie ranked #127 among girls’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Valerie most popular?
Valerie was most popular in 1959, when about 7,302 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What are common nicknames for Valerie?
Common nicknames for Valerie include Val.