Valdemar

At a Glance

Meaning

Famous ruler (folk-reshaped Germanic compound of 'power/rule' + 'famous')

Origin

Scandinavian (from Slavic *Voldiměrъ, reshaped as Germanic)

Gender

Primarily used for boys

Pronunciation

VAHL-duh-marListen

Valdemar is a Scandinavian name with a winding backstory: it started as the Slavic name Voldiměřъ and was later reshaped into a Germanic-sounding compound meaning "famous ruler." So while it reads as a classic Nordic name, its roots actually cross language families rather than sitting neatly in one. For a parent who likes a name with real linguistic history behind it, that's worth knowing going in.

Meaning & Origin of Valdemar

Meaning: Famous ruler (folk-reshaped Germanic compound of 'power/rule' + 'famous').

Origin: Scandinavian (from Slavic *Voldiměrъ, reshaped as Germanic).

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Valdemar

Popularity of Valdemar

SSA records for Valdemar run from 1912 to 2024, and the name has never been common in the U.S.: it peaked at #1953 in 1953 with 17 babies given the name, and by 2024 it had dropped to #14060 with just 5.

Names Like Valdemar

These names have followed a similar path to Valdemar in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Graylyn
• Geralyn
• Gayle
• Janise
• Jany
• Stanlee

FAQ

What does the name Valdemar mean?

Famous ruler (folk-reshaped Germanic compound of ‘power/rule’ + ‘famous’). (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Valdemar?

Valdemar is pronounced VAHL-duh-mar (IPA: /ˈvɑːldəmɑːr/).

Is Valdemar a popular name right now?

Valdemar peaked at #1953 in 1953 and is ranked #14060 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1912–2024.)

Make Valdemar Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Valdemar, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.