Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “Valerius” come from?

Valerius is a Latin personal name derived from valeo, meaning "to be strong," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₂welh₁-, a root expressing strength and vitality.

Ancestry of “Valerius”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinvalerius—
2LatinValesios—
3Latinvaleō—
4Proto-Italicwalēōto be strong
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂wl̥h₁éh₁yeti—
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂welh₁-to rule; strong, powerful; hair; wool
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂welh₁- →