Valerie

Valerie has the soft sparkle of a chandelier seen through a windowpane. The French form of the Latin Valeria, a Roman clan name drawn from valere meaning to be strong, it was carried by early Christian saints and later by mid-century American songs and actresses. After a long reign in the twentieth century, it has settled into a warm second life, currently at 147 on the girls chart. Three syllables, VAL-er-ee, the long liquid L lighting up the middle and the long E landing gently. Nicknames Val and Vera feel freshly vintage. Strong roots, soft voice. Classic, feminine, quietly resolute.