Valerie in Chinese
Valerie in Chinese is 瓦莱丽 (Wǎ Lái Lì).
- Origin
- Latin
- Meaning
- strong, healthy
Etymologically, Valerie is Latin and is commonly glossed as "strong, healthy". It first shows up in US Social Security records in 1884 and peaked in 1959. Names sharing the same root meaning include Valeria.
3 ways to write Valerie
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
瓦莱丽
Wǎ Lái Lì
The standard transliteration of Valerie: 瓦 (wǎ, "tile (phonetic 'va')"), 莱 (lái, "goosefoot plant (phonetic 'lai')"), 丽 (lì, "beautiful, elegant"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
The mapping is one character per syllable: 瓦 (wǎ) carries "va", 莱 (lái) carries "le", 丽 (lì) carries "rie". The tone contour is 3-2-4 (dipping, rising, falling).
Character breakdown
23 strokes total (simplified)- 瓦
wǎ
Tone 3 · 5 strokes (simplified)
tile (phonetic 'va')
- 莱
lái
Tone 2 · 10 strokes (simplified)
goosefoot plant (phonetic 'lai')
- 丽
lì
Tone 4 · 8 strokes (simplified)
beautiful, elegant
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
若英
Ruò Yīng
Inspired by "strong, healthy": 若 (ruò, "like, as if") + 英 (yīng, "hero; brilliant; flower"), expressing strength and courage.
Why these characters?
The idea of "strong" behind Valerie is rendered by 若, "like, as if"; 英, "hero; brilliant; flower", completes it.
Character breakdown
18 strokes total (simplified)- 若
ruò
Tone 4 · 9 strokes (simplified)
like, as if
- 英
yīng
Tone 1 · 9 strokes (simplified)
hero; brilliant; flower
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
婉英
Wǎn Yīng
婉 (wǎn, "gentle, graceful") + 英 (yīng, "hero; brilliant; flower"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
婉 (wǎn) sounds close to the opening "va" of Valerie (compare 瓦 wǎ) but means "gentle, graceful"; 英 adds "hero; brilliant; flower".
Character breakdown
20 strokes total (simplified)- 婉
wǎn
Tone 3 · 11 strokes (simplified)
gentle, graceful
- 英
yīng
Tone 1 · 9 strokes (simplified)
hero; brilliant; flower
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Valerie
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Valerie ranked 143 among names recorded for girls, with 11,875 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 257,604 girls named Valerie since 1884, with the high point in 1959 (7,307 births) and the busiest decade being the 1960s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #129 to #167 among girls.
- Peak year
- 1959
- Peak decade
- 1960s
- First year
- 1884
- Total since 1880
- 257,604
More About Valerie in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Valerie offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Valerie, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include Valeria in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Valeria in Chinese, Bailey in Chinese, and Ariana in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Sierra in Chinese, Sabrina in Chinese, Veronica in Chinese, and Holly in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Valerie, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Valerie to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Valerie in Chinese characters?
瓦莱丽 (Wǎ Lái Lì), or 瓦萊麗 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 瓦莱丽 have?
23 strokes in simplified form and 35 in traditional; per character: 瓦 5, 莱 10, 丽 8.
How popular is the name Valerie?
US Social Security records show 257,604 girls named Valerie since 1884, with the high point in 1959 (7,307 births) and the busiest decade being the 1960s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #129 to #167 among girls.