Boy · Latin · Christian
Valerian
ValerianSay it va-LEER-ee-un
- Meaning today
- Strong, healthy
- Original meaning
- "of the Valerius family, a Roman gens; no meaning given" Lewis & Short, s.v. Valerius (Valerianus)
- Say it
- va-LEER-ee-un
- Other spellings
- Valerien, Valeriano
Valerian
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Valerian meaning
Valerian is a Christian boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning today
Strong, healthy
Original Latin meaning
"of the Valerius family, a Roman gens; no meaning given"
Source: Lewis & Short, A Latin Dictionary (1879), s.v. Valerius (Valerianus) · entry Valerius; Valerianus · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
Valerian comes from Latin Valerianus, meaning 'belonging to a Valerius'. The Valerii were one of the oldest Roman families; Lewis & Short record the name, with its older form Valesius, but give no meaning for it. Name lists say 'strong' or 'healthy', which assumes a link with the verb valeo, 'to be strong, to be well'; the link is often made but is not proved. Christians remember St Valerian, the husband of St Cecilia, martyred in Rome, and the name was also borne by a third-century emperor. In India Valerian is used by Mangalorean Catholics; Valerian de Souza was Bishop of Mangalore from 1928 to 1930.
References: Lewis & Short, Valerius, Valerianus (alatius.com) · Wikipedia, Saints Cecilia, Valerian and Tiburtius · Catholic-Hierarchy, Bishop Valerian Joseph de Souza
Famous namesakes
- St Valerian, husband of St Cecilia
Spellings
Valerian · Valerien · Valeriano