Valeska

Valeska is a German feminine name generally regarded as a diminutive or elaborated form of Valerie, which derives from the Latin root valere, meaning to be strong or to be healthy. The Latin root also underlies the Roman family name Valerius and gave rise to names such as Valeria and Valentina. Valeska has been used primarily in German-speaking countries and parts of Eastern Europe, and it gained some international recognition through the German-American circus performer Valeska Suratt in the early twentieth century. Related forms include Valerie, Valeria, and the Slavic-influenced Waleska.