My DH’s grandfather was named [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] which neither him nor me will consider as a name for our son. We both however really like the name [name_f]Valen[/name_f] and want to honor him in some way. (not sure if first or middle yet) problem is I find myself wondering if it’s too much of a girls name nameberry only lists it as a girls name. I actually think it’s more masculine. Wanting some opinions do you like it and is it too girly?
I don’t know how to pronounce it, like the beginning of [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] or is it Vay len? If it’s short for [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] I’d expect it to be [name_u]Val[/name_u] en, and I think I like that better!
I really like it, and I was surprised when I took note it was listed as a girl’s name! To me it seems unisex, like [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]. A similar name, [name_m]Valor[/name_m] is considered masculine (for what it’s worth, I think that could be a unisex name tho). So [name_f]Valen[/name_f] can be a boys name too, it doesn’t sound of look overly feminine. I’d say go for it!
I think it sounds feminine.
I actually thought this would be pronounced like vay-len. Which reminds me of an old sci-fi show called babylon 5 but I’m pretty much the only one that would still remember that reference lol. I say it’s masculine.
I don’t see anything wrong with naming a boy [name_f]Valen[/name_f]. You could also name him [name_m]Valentinus[/name_m] and call him [name_f]Valen[/name_f].
I would use it in the middle spot. While I identify it as a boy’s name I personally would prefer a more masculine sounding first, but I would definitely use it as a middle name to honour DH’s grandfather.
I personally like it better in the middle as well. But DH is unsure we both kind of like [name_m]Fox[/name_m] [name_f]Valen[/name_f], or [name_m]Maddox[/name_m] [name_f]Valen[/name_f]. But not sure if either of those really work.
I could see it working! And to be honest, I really like it 
I also quite like Valens/Valence, but that just might be me.
I like it as a first name! Though [name_m]Fox[/name_m] [name_f]Valen[/name_f] is quite handsome!
Both [name_m]Fox[/name_m] [name_f]Valen[/name_f] and [name_m]Maddox[/name_m] [name_f]Valen[/name_f] sound great!
Thanks for all the positive feedback. I think we will probably use it as a middle.
I love [name_f]Valen[/name_f] for a boy, actually! I had a friend who had named one of her sons [name_f]Valen[/name_f] (I think he was born on or around [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]'s [name_u]Day[/name_u]–sadly, we’ve not kept in touch, so I don’t know much more than that). I know she loved the name and didn’t seem to have any issues with it–she certainly never mentioned any issues, anyhow. I think [name_f]Valen[/name_f] is super cool. I personally prefer it as a FN, and I like [name_f]Valen[/name_f] [name_m]Fox[/name_m] and [name_f]Valen[/name_f] [name_m]Maddox[/name_m] both much better than the other way around, but all your options are lovely! Good luck!
I like it. I also really like [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] for a boy.
I think you could use [name_f]Valen[/name_f] for a boy, you might also consider [name_m]Valentino[/name_m] or [name_m]Valeno[/name_m] (basically the male [name_f]Valen[/name_f] in italian) or [name_u]Vale[/name_u].
I spent most the night debating if I could steal [name_m]Maddox[/name_m] [name_f]Valen[/name_f] from you since I like it so much. I wouldn’t do that unless you were okay with it. We were going with [name_m]Maddox[/name_m] [name_m]Soren[/name_m] and friend of ours used [name_m]Soren[/name_m] for their baby. Now we are going with [name_m]Maddox[/name_m] [name_u]Gray[/name_u] but I like [name_m]Maddox[/name_m] [name_f]Valen[/name_f] better actually. I PM’d you about this. Either way this is a great name.
My history prof named her son Valente, similar to [name_f]Valen[/name_f]. [name_m]Just[/name_m] thought I’d share!
[name_f]Valen[/name_f] may only have a girl’s entry in the NB database, but I’ve never heard of anyone with the name. I think it could be unisex.