Valentine
Valentine: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈvæləntaɪn/
Meaning and origin of Valentine
Root meaning: “strong, healthy”
- A unisex given name from Latin.
- A male given name from Latin in quiet but steady use since the 16th century.
- A female given name from Latin occasionally borrowed from French.
- An English and Scottish surname derived from the male given name.
Etymology
From Latin Valentīnus, a patronymic from Valēns (Roman cognomen), itself nominalized from vālens (“strong, healthy”) + -īnus (“-ine”). Doublet of Valentinus, Valentino, Valentina, and Valentini.
How popular is Valentine?
Since 1880, 2,239 girls and 6,711 boys in the U.S. have been named Valentine (25% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #743 in 1885. Its highest rank for boys was #366 in 1894. In 2025, 159 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Valentine
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Latin unisex names
Sibling name ideas for Valentine
Sister and brother names that share Valentine's Latin roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Valentine FAQ
What does the name Valentine mean?
Valentine traces back to a root meaning "strong, healthy". A unisex given name from Latin. A male given name from Latin in quiet but steady use since the 16th century. A female given name from Latin occasionally borrowed from French. An English and Scottish surname derived from the male given name. From Latin Valentīnus, a patronymic from Valēns (Roman cognomen), itself nominalized from vālens (“strong, healthy”) + -īnus (“-ine”). Doublet of Valentinus, Valentino, Valentina, and Valentini.
What is the origin of the name Valentine?
Valentine is listed as a name of Latin origin.
How popular is the name Valentine?
Since 1880, 2,239 girls and 6,711 boys in the U.S. have been named Valentine (25% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #743 in 1885. Its highest rank for boys was #366 in 1894. In 2025, 159 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Valentine a boy or girl name?
Valentine is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (2,239 girls and 6,711 boys since 1880).
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.