Valery
Definition
Valery with its alternative spelling Valerie is the English form of the Roman family name Valeria (masculine Valerian), a name coming from the Latin verb valere ("to be strong, healthy, flourish"). From the same root comes Valentine, the name of a third-century martyr. Nothing is known about him for sure, for all the stories revolve around customs associated with St Valentine's Day, and these evolved from pagan Roman fertility customs associated with mid-February. Valentine's only connection is that his feast day falls on 14 February. In the Middle Ages the name is found in the romance of Valentine and Orson, in which Valentine is a brave and doughty prince. The name is especially given to children born on or about the saint's day and can be given to both sexes, although it is more commonly masculine, with Valentina being used as an alternative feminine. Val is used as a short form of these names for both sexes, and for women it has been elaborated into a new name, Valene.
Sex
Girls and Boys
Similar names
See Orson
Naming Your Baby
Copyright © 2007 Julia Cresswell
