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 July 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
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give 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.