Valerie is of French origin, derived from the Latin word 'valere', meaning 'to be strong' or 'healthy'. It was initially used as a term of endearment before becoming a popular given name. Valerie is also associated with Saint Valerie, a 3rd-century martyr whose legend contributed to its popularity in France and other Catholic countries. The name gained significant prominence during the Middle Ages but has since become more widely used globally. Variants of the name include Valeria, Valerian, and Valentina.
"Valerie was quite popular as a baby girl's name in 1961, with five newborns sharing the moniker that year."