girls' name · peaked 2006

Valery

From French Valéry, from Latin Valerius.

Every Valery since 1914 — 8,932 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.060.130.190.2518801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#744
among girls
Babies in 2025
371
named Valery
Peak year
2006
395 babies
All-time total
8,932
since 1914

The story of Valery

Valery is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #744 in 2025 with 366 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1914, 8,932 American babies have been named Valery. Its peak came in 2006, when 395 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Valery stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Valery year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 366 #744 5 #13,752
2024 359 #786 5 #14,111
2023 335 #824
2022 352 #803
2021 303 #895
2020 291 #905
2019 306 #882
2018 264 #993
2017 234 #1,086
2016 241 #1,081 5 #14,058
2015 206 #1,212
2014 191 #1,266
2013 232 #1,070
2012 207 #1,195
2011 224 #1,104
2010 244 #1,026
2009 266 #997
2008 312 #892
2007 343 #837
2006 395 #716
2005 251 #978
2004 175 #1,248
2003 144 #1,389
2002 136 #1,416
2001 126 #1,498
2000 115 #1,557
1995 63 #2,152
1990 35 #3,222
1985 24 #3,616
1980 17 #4,510
1975 34 #2,408
1970 36 #2,239
1965 43 #1,740
1960 49 #1,616
1955 42 #1,596 6 #3,862
1950 23 #2,050 5 #4,163
1945 10 #3,116
1940 5 #4,980
1935 5 #4,841
1930 6 #4,515
1925 5 #5,711
1920 6 #4,928
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Valery

  1. Valery Legasov Chemist · 1936–1988
  2. Valery Leontiev Singer · b. 1949
  3. Valery Bykovsky Astronaut · 1934–2019
  4. Valery Gergiev Musician · b. 1953
  5. Valery Bryusov Writer · 1873–1924

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Valery mean?

From French Valéry, from Latin Valerius.

How popular is the name Valery in 2025?

Valery ranked #744 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 366 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Valery?

8,932 babies have been named Valery in the United States since 1914, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Valery most popular?

Valery peaked in 2006, when 395 newborns received the name.

Is Valery a boy or girl name?

Valery is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 99% of babies with the name.

Is the name Valery rising or falling?

Valery is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Valery?

Well-known people named Valery include Valery Legasov (chemist), Valery Leontiev (singer), Valery Bykovsky (astronaut).

Names like Valery

Compare Valery with similar names →