Valerie

Don’t be fooled by the pretty sound of “Valerie”: The name’s meaning is from the Latin word “valere,” which is all about health and strength, a good omen for a little girl. The name is the French equivalent of Valeria, which comes from the male Valerius, a Roman surname that dates to before the Middle Ages. In modern times the name was a big favorite of parents during the 1950s and '60s. It’s still popular but has been overtaken by a slightly different version, Valeria, the Spanish spelling that even non-Spanish parents are embracing.