Valery

Valery is a masculine given name used in several languages and cultures, most prominently in Russia and France. It is also found as a surname in some cases. In Cyrillic contexts, the form Valeriy (Valerii) is common (Valерий), while in French the standard spelling is Valéry. In English-language texts, Valery is used as a transliteration of the same name. Feminine forms include Valeria and Valeriya.

The name derives from the Latin Valerius, from the root valere meaning “to be strong” or “to be healthy.” As with many Latin-based names, Valery is associated with vitality and resilience. Diminutives and affectionate forms exist in various languages, such as Valya in Russian.

Notable individuals with the given name include Valéry Giscard d'Estaing (1926–2020), who served as President of France from 1974 to 1981; Valery Gergiev (born 1953), a prominent Russian conductor; and Valery Bryusov (1873–1924), a Russian poet and a leading figure in the Russian Symbolist movement. The name has historical usage across Slavic and Western European cultures and appears in literature, music, and public life.

Usage of Valery continues in contemporary contexts, particularly in Russia and Francophone regions, where it is encountered in various forms of media and as a personal name for male characters.