Vala

Meaning of Vala

Vala, a feminine given name deriving from the Old Norse vǫlva, originally signifying a seeress or prophetess in pre-Christian Scandinavian tradition, has acquired layers of cultural resonance, not only through its retention in modern Icelandic naming practices—where it is pronounced VAH-lah (/ˈvaːla/)—but also through its literary instantiation in J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium as one of the Valar, thereby extending its semantic field to encompass both archaic ritual significance and high-fantasy cosmology. In Anglo-American contexts, where it is typically articulated VAH-lah (/ˈvɑːlə/), Vala has maintained a modest yet persistent presence in the U.S. Social Security Administration’s annual rankings, peaking at 583rd in 1939 and, after mid-century fluctuations, reappearing within the 900-to-1000 range in recent years, most notably registering seven occurrences and a rank of 951 in 2023. This pattern of intermittent popularity underscores a measured appeal among parents seeking a name that combines historical depth with literary pedigree.

Pronunciation

Icelandic

• Pronunced as VAH-lah (/ˈvaːla/)

English

• Pronunced as VAH-lah (/ˈvɑːlə/)

• Valerie
• Valeria
• Vada
• Valentina
• Vela
• Valora
• Vallie