Find out how popular the first name Valeria has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Valeria by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Valeria is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Valeria being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,860 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Valeria.

The history of the first name Valeria

Valeria is a feminine given name with Latin origins, derived from the Roman family name Valerius. This name can be traced back to ancient Rome, where it was borne by members of the gens Valeria, one of the oldest and most distinguished patrician families in the Roman Republic.

The name Valerius is believed to be derived from the Latin word "valere," meaning "to be strong" or "to be well." This connection suggests that the name Valeria was initially associated with strength, health, and wellness. In ancient Rome, names often carried symbolic meanings and were meant to convey positive traits or aspirations for the child.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Valeria appears in Roman historical texts, where it was mentioned as the name of a Roman woman who lived during the reign of Emperor Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD). This early reference indicates that the name was in use during the Roman Imperial period.

Throughout the centuries, several notable historical figures have borne the name Valeria. One of the most famous was Valeria Messalina (c. 17 - 48 AD), the third wife of the Roman emperor Claudius. She was known for her notorious and scandalous behavior, which ultimately led to her execution.

Another prominent figure was Valeria Caecilia Secundina (c. 305 - 365 AD), a Roman Christian who lived during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great. She was venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church for her piety and charitable works.

In the Middle Ages, the name Valeria was used by several European noblewomen, including Valeria of Aquitaine (c. 1011 - 1076), the wife of Robert I, Duke of Burgundy, and Valeria of Vergy (c. 1079 - 1144), a French noblewoman and crusader.

During the Renaissance period, the name Valeria gained popularity in Italy, where it was borne by several notable figures, including Valeria Piccolomini (1556 - 1648), an Italian noblewoman and patron of the arts, and Valeria Morati (1622 - 1692), an Italian scholar and writer.

In more recent history, the name Valeria has been associated with several influential women, such as Valeria Golino (born 1965), an Italian actress and filmmaker, and Valeria Luiselli (born 1983), a Mexican writer and academic.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Valeria was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Valeria, please contact us.

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