Valerie comes from the Latin Valeria, feminine of the Roman family name Valerius — from valere, meaning "to be strong" or "to be healthy." Saint Valeria (1st century) was an early Christian martyr.
Valerie was popular in the early 20th century and rose strongly in the 1950s-1970s, peaking at #94 in 1976. After a long decline it is climbing again, currently sitting in the U.S. top 200.
Valerie reduces to nine — the number of brave devotion.