Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Valkyrie
GirlOld Norse· “chooser of the slain”
- Meaning
- chooser of the slain
- Origin
- Old Norse
- Pronunciation
- val-KEER-ee
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #1,925
- US babies 2025
- 101
- Best rank
- #1,455 (2022)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Valkyrie
Valkyrie is an Old Norse name that means “chooser of the slain”.
Valkyrie comes from Old Norse valkyrja, meaning chooser of the slain. In Norse mythology the Valkyries were warrior maidens who served Odin, selecting those who would die in battle and bringing the chosen heroes to Valhalla. Richard Wagner's opera Die Walküre and its famous Ride of the Valkyries made the image famous in the modern world. It is pronounced val-KEER-ee. As a given name it is bold and dramatic, and Val and Kiri make softer nicknames.
Popularity over time
Valkyrie first appears in US Social Security records in 1992. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,455 in 2022, the same year it reached its highest count of 153 babies. In 2025, 101 babies were named Valkyrie, and it ranked #1,925 nationally. That is 146% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #11,746 in 2000, #6,616 in 2010, and #1,925 in 2025. Of the 1,313 US girls named Valkyrie since records began, 57% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 452 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Mirabel, Shoshana, Wednesday, Jalayah, and Hafsa.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Valkyrie ranked highest in Minnesota, Indiana, and Ohio.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | #992 | 5 |
| Indiana | #1195 | 5 |
| Ohio | #1432 | 6 |
| Pennsylvania | #1614 | 5 |
| California | #2077 | 10 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Valkyrie is usually pronounced val-KEER-ee, with four syllables. It has eight letters, starts with V and ends in “-ie”.
Middle names for Valkyrie
A few middle names that flow with Valkyrie: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Valkyrie
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Lists that include Valkyrie
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Valkyrie mean?
Valkyrie is an Old Norse name that means “chooser of the slain”.
What is the origin of the name Valkyrie?
Valkyrie has Old Norse roots. Valkyrie comes from Old Norse valkyrja, meaning chooser of the slain.
Is Valkyrie a popular name?
Not especially. Valkyrie ranked #1,925 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Valkyrie a boy or girl name?
Valkyrie is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Valkyrie?
Valkyrie is usually pronounced val-KEER-ee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings