How to say it
val · un · TEE · nuh
ˌvæl.ənˈtin.ə
Feminine
Valentina
Strong, healthy
What it means
Feminine of the Latin Valentinus, from valens (strong, healthy, brave). Same root as Valentine.
The 3rd-century Saint Valentine made the masculine form famous; the feminine Valentina stayed quieter for centuries before becoming a fixture in Italian, Spanish, and Russian naming. Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman in space (1963), giving the name a 20th-century pioneering anchor. Spanish Valentina is one of the most-given Latin American girls' names. US adoption surged in the 2010s through Latino communities and broader cross-cultural appeal. Currently US top hundred for girls and climbing. Common short forms: Val, Vale, Tina.
How to spell Valentina
The standard spelling is Valentina. Common variants include Valentine, Valentyna, but Valentina is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #35 in 2025, currently #35 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed August 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
vah-len-TEE-nah, four syllables, stress on the third. The middle E is short.
- Nickname
Val and Tina both circulate. Some families use Vale or Lena. Many Valentinas keep the full form.
Who's worn it
- Valentina Tereshkova Soviet cosmonaut, first woman in space, 1963
- Valentina Sampaio Brazilian model, first openly trans Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover
- Valentina (Drag Race) Mexican-American drag queen, season 9 fan favorite
Spelling variants
- Valentine
- Valentyna
Names with the same feeling
See Valentina from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Valentina mean?
- Feminine of the Latin Valentinus, from valens (strong, healthy, brave). Same root as Valentine.
- What does Valentina mean in Latin?
- In Latin, Valentina means "Strong, healthy." The 3rd-century Saint Valentine made the masculine form famous; the feminine Valentina stayed quieter for centuries before becoming a fixture in Italian, Spanish, and Russian naming. Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman in space (1963), giving the name a 20th-century pioneering anchor. Spanish Valentina is one of the most-given Latin American girls' names. US adoption surged in the 2010s through Latino communities and broader cross-cultural appeal. Currently US top hundred for girls and climbing. Common short forms: Val, Vale, Tina.
- How do you pronounce Valentina?
- Valentina is pronounced ˌvæl.ənˈtin.ə. Say it as val-un-TEE-nuh, with the stress on the "tee" syllable.
- How do you spell Valentina?
- The standard spelling is Valentina. Common spelling variants include Valentine, Valentyna.
- Is Valentina a boy or girl name?
- Valentina is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Valentina?
- Valentina ranked #35 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.