Holding steady, #8,243 for boys today.
Popularity of Valiant since 1947
Babies named Valiant per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 18 |
| 1950s | 36 |
| 1960s | 32 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 30 |
| 2010s | 52 |
| 2020s | 43 |
Meaning & origin
Valiant is a rare virtue name that entered U.S. records in 1947, first appearing in the Social Security Administration data that year. As of 2025, it ranks 8,243rd nationally, with approximately 1 in 189,786 boys receiving the name. The name reached its peak popularity in 2012, though even then it remained uncommon. Its trajectory has been stable, without dramatic growth or decline, and it has not been recorded as a top name in any state. Valiant fits a modern trend of word names that convey positive qualities, but it has never broken into widespread use, remaining a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with an unambiguous meaning of bravery.
Valiant is derived from the English word 'valiant', meaning 'brave, courageous', which entered Middle English from Old French 'vaillant'. The name has been used sparingly as a virtue name in the United States since the mid-20th century, with occasional usage reflecting a trend toward word names with positive connotations.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Val, Liam
Sibling names for Valiant
Names that share Valiant's style, for a brother or sister.
