Rising since 2005, #1,129 for girls today.
Popularity of Valley since 1888
Babies named Valley per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 7 | 0 |
| 1890s | 0 | 0 |
| 1900s | 32 | 0 |
| 1910s | 44 | 7 |
| 1920s | 63 | 31 |
| 1930s | 24 | 0 |
| 1940s | 9 | 5 |
| 1950s | 23 | 0 |
| 1960s | 18 | 0 |
| 1970s | 10 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 11 | 0 |
| 2000s | 5 | 0 |
| 2010s | 105 | 0 |
| 2020s | 528 | 13 |
Meaning & origin
Valley is a rare nature name that first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1888, but has seen renewed interest in the 21st century. Its trajectory has been steadily rising since 2005, reaching its peak rank of 1129 in 2025. With an incidence of 1 in 7,765 births, Valley remains uncommon but is increasingly chosen by parents drawn to landscape-inspired names. It is most popular in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Utah.
Valley derives from the Old French word 'valee', itself from Latin 'vallis' meaning 'valley'. As a given name, it emerged in the late 19th century as a nature-inspired choice, likely influenced by the Victorian fashion for place and landscape names. Its use has remained rare but has seen a modest increase in the 21st century.
Where Valley is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Val
Sibling names for Valley
Names that share Valley's style, for a brother or sister.
