Valéry

Valéry is a French masculine given name and surname. It derives from the Latin Valerius, itself from valere meaning “to be strong” or “healthy.” The form Valéry, with the accent aigu on the e, reflects French pronunciation and orthography.

In French usage, Valéry has been used for centuries but remains relatively uncommon today. It is primarily masculine; the feminine form is Valérie. The name has appeared in French literature, science, and public life, both as a given name and as a surname.

Notable individuals with the name include Paul Valéry (1871–1945), a leading French poet and essayist; Valéry Larbaud (1881–1957), a French writer and translator; and Valéry Giscard d'Estaing (1926–2020), President of France from 1974 to 1981. Their prominence has helped maintain the name’s presence in French culture.

The name has cognates in other European languages, such as Valerio in Italian and Valeriu in Romanian. It traces back to Latin Valerius, a name with historical associations to strength and health. As a result, Valéry carries a classical heritage and remains a recognizable element in French personal names and surnames.