Valerian

Valerian developed from the Roman name Valerianus, itself formed from the family name Valerius. That family is connected with the Latin idea of being strong or well. The name's history therefore begins with Roman naming, rather than solely with the plant that also bears the English name valerian.

A third-century Roman emperor and several early saints bore forms of the name. Later languages developed spellings such as Italian and Spanish Valeriano and French Valérian. These connections give Valerian a long personal-name history alongside its botanical association, with the exact spelling helping identify the language or tradition a family wants to preserve.