VALENTINE

English and Scottish: from a medieval personal name, Latin Valentinus, a derivative of Valens (see Valente), which was never common in England, but is occasionally found from the end of the 12th century, probably as the result of French influence. The name was borne by a 3rd-century saint and martyr, whose chief claim to fame is that his feast falls on 14 February, the date of a traditional celebration of spring going back to the Roman fertility festival of Juno Februata. A 5th-century missionary bishop of Rhaetia of this name was venerated especially in southern Germany, being invoked as a patron against gout and epilepsy. It is probably also an Americanization of Valentin, Valentino, and possibly other European cognates.