Valery

Technically speaking, Valery is a Russian masculine name (Валерий); it’s the Russian form of an ancient Roman family name Valerius. The Valerius clan was one of the oldest, most prominent and distinguished Roman families dating back to the sixth century B.C. Apropos to the clan’s stature in ancient Roman society, the name Valerius is derived from the Latin “valere” originally meaning “to be strong, valuable, prosperous, powerful, able”. In later Latin the word would come to mean more succinctly “strong, courageous” (i.e., “valor”). In the United States, however, the name Valery is considered feminine; essentially a respelling of Valerie. Internationally, though, names derived from Valerius are used on both genders. Popularity of the name was spread throughout medieval Europe (particularly France) due to the cult followings of various saints who bore the name. For instance, St. Valerie of Limoges (present day central France) was decapitated sometime in the first three centuries A.D. for her Christian beliefs (when the Roman Empire was officially pagan). According to legend, after she was beheaded, St. Valerie purportedly carried her own head back to her confessor (i.e., the bishop who had originally converted her). Such stories of “cephalophores” (so called saintly “head-carriers”) were quite popular in the Middle Ages, particularly in France. So the name took hold and has persisted quite well into modern times.