The name Valerie has its origins in the Latin name Valeria, which was derived from the Roman family name Valerius. The name Valerius is believed to have originated from the Latin word "valere," meaning "to be strong" or "to be well."

In ancient Rome, the name Valeria was borne by several noble Roman families, including the Valerii, who were a prominent patrician family. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the writings of the Roman historian Livy, who mentions a Roman woman named Valeria in his historical work "Ab Urbe Condita" (From the Founding of the City).

During the Middle Ages, the name Valerie gained popularity in various European regions, particularly in France and England. In France, it was sometimes spelled as "Valière" or "Valière." One notable historical figure who bore this name was Valerie of Milan (c. 349 - c. 420), a Christian saint and martyr who was venerated in the Catholic Church.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Valerie. One of the earliest was Valerie of Limoges (c. 591 - c. 619), a Merovingian princess and abbess who founded the Abbey of Arles-sur-Tech in present-day France. Another notable figure was Valerie of Burgundy (c. 1033 - c. 1115), a French noblewoman and countess consort of Savoy.

In the realm of literature, the name Valerie was used by the English writer Geoffrey Chaucer in his 14th-century work "The Canterbury Tales." One of the characters in the tale is named Valerie, although the name's significance is not explicitly stated.

Other famous individuals named Valerie include Valerie Solanas (1936 - 1988), an American radical feminist and author best known for her attempted assassination of Andy Warhol in 1968. Valerie Jarrett (born 1956) is an American businesswoman and former senior advisor to former President Barack Obama.

Valerie Harper (1939 - 2019) was an American actress best known for her role as Rhoda Morgenstern on the television series "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and its spin-off "Rhoda." Valerie Plame Wilson (born 1963) is a former United States CIA officer whose cover was blown in 2003, leading to a high-profile political scandal.