I love my name. Honestly, I don’t think my parents could have picked a better name. I look at people who hate their names for whatever reason, and I just can’t relate.
According to several baby name generators, Valerie means “strong” (though I grew up with my parents telling me that it meant “leader”). It was a Roman family name, derived from the Latin “valere.” It’s current form most closely matches a French form of an early Christian name. It peaked in popularity between in the US in 1959 and 1985 (the later thanks to Valerie Bertenelli). Since I was born in 1976, I grew up knowing very few Valeries, though I currently have a very dear friend who is also named Valerie. (And sorry for all the geeky origin information. I love that stuff!)
I think it is natural for names to develop nicknames. I think of all the goofy things I call the kiddos at school, and most of those are not derivatives of their names. It’s fun to play with a name. But, a name is a very personal thing, and not everyone is allowed to play with a name. But, people don’t seem to understand this. I remember when I waitressed, and I would introduce myself to my tables as “Valerie,” and they would immediately respond back with, “Hey, Val, can you get me X, Y, and Z?” It would not make me happy.
Now, when people ask, “Do you prefer Valerie or Val?” I’ll often let them call me whatever they want to call me. I usually say, “Thank you for asking me. My close friends and family call me Val, so when we get to that point, feel free to call me Val.” Or, if I’m introduced as Val, that’s a completely different situation.
Now, with kids I have always been Miss Val. I think there’s something personable, approachable, etc. with having them call me Miss Val. And I’ve just been Miss Val since high school when I taught Sunday School to the little ones. But, I found out yesterday that I cannot be Miss Val at the new school. I have to be Ms. LastName. After getting over the initial shock and disappointment, I thought, “OH! Maybe I can actually be Valerie here.”
And then the owner called me Val. Guess not. Guess I’ll always be Val. I didn’t ever want to grow up anyways!
Recently:
- Cutting Valerie to Val
- Vivacious Valerie: When Things Come Full Circle
- Ladybug Girl Grows Up
- When Life Gets in the Way…
- Last Class, Take Two: I’m Already Being Challenged
- First Days…
- Life Imitates Life: It Must Be Friday
- Winters’ Snow
- Creative vs. Artist
- Energy
