I am someone who chose Val as their name, and I know quite a few others who did the same. It's a very versatile name! Neutral to me, but can pass as feminine when needed. Can be short for Valerie, Valentine, Valerian, or any number of other names. Legally, I am just Val, but originally it was short for Valley :)
My name is Valerie, and I hate this nickname and I don’t respond to it. Almost every other Valerie I have met also hate being called it. It does sound more masculine than feminine, and I have had too many people force it on me because they just don’t want to say the rest of the syllables in my name. I usually tell or ask people to just call me Valerie. In general, you shouldn’t call a person a diminutive of their name unless you know them well personally and you have permission.
It seems many will disagree, but I think this is a really hot name for a boy, as a nickname for Valentine. It’s the same vibe as Vince, Van & Vinnie. (Although of course I do think it’s great for a girl too).
Val is such a hot name for your child. All the Vals I met are sooooooooooooooo cute and sooo smart everyone likes VAL. She is hot, beautiful and smart. PLEASEEEEEEE name your child VAL.