Andrea Overview
- Meaning: Andrea means manly. When applied to names for girls, many change this meaning to womanly. Other connotations include strength and bravery.
- Gender: Andrea is a unisex name. Whether the name is more traditionally used for boys or girls is subjective by country.
- Origin: Andrea originates from the Greek word “andrós.” Though used as a masculine and feminine name, many consider Andrea to be the feminine version of Andrew.
- Pronunciation: Andrea is usually pronounced “AHN-dree-e” or “ahn-DRAY-e.”
- Popularity: Andrea is a popular name across the globe. In the United States, the name appeared in the top 100 names for newborn girls for several decades. It ranked 148th in 2020.
- Nicknames: AJ, Andee, Andie, Andre, Andy, Ann, Annie, Drea, Rea.
- Variations: Andréa, Andrée, Andreea, Andrej, Andreia, Andreja, Andreo, Andressa Ndrea.
- Namesakes: Andrea Bocelli (Italian musician). Andrea Corr (Irish musician), Andrea Ghez (American astronomer).
What Does Andrea Mean?
Despite being a primarily feminine name in many languages, the name Andrea means “manly.” Other associations with the meaning are “virility” and “bravery.”
When applied to girls, many interpret the meaning to be “womanly” and “courageous.”
What Is the Origin of the Name Andrea?
Andrea was derived from the Greek word “andrós.” You may recognize the prefix “andr-” in words such as androgynous and android (1). Andrea is just one of many names that use this prefix.
Though the name’s origins are associated with masculinity, Andrea is considered the feminine version of names like Andreas and Andrew in many languages.
How Popular Is the Name Andrea?
Globally, Andrea has been a prevalent name for many years.
In the United States, Andrea didn’t rank among the top 100 girls’ names until 1930. Since then, Andrea has consistently placed in the top 100 (2).
Andrea reached peak popularity during the 1970s and 1980s in the United States. Popularity has been relatively steady since, but the name dropped out of the top 100 most popular names in 2010.
The name is still a popular choice for girls in the United States. In 2020, Andrea held the 148th spot (3).
How Do I Pronounce Andrea?
Two of the most prevalent pronunciations emphasize different parts of the name.
In the United States, the most common pronunciation is “AHN-dree-e.” Another popular pronunciation, more common among Spanish speakers, is “ahn-DRAY-e.”
Is Andrea a Boy or Girl Name?
Whether this name is more commonly feminine or masculine depends on the country. Because of this, we consider Andrea a unisex name.
In 2019 Andrea ranked as the fifth most popular name for male babies in Italy. However, in many countries that speak a Germanic or Slavic language, the name is primarily used for girls.
In the United States, the name is usually given to girls but is also used for boys, just less frequently.
Variations of Andrea
If you’re looking for variations on the name Andrea, you have lots of options. The name has been widespread globally, so many regions have their version, including:
- Andréa (Brazilian)
- Andrée (French)
- Andreea (Romanian)
- Andrej (masculine, Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia)
- Andreia (Portuguese)
- Andreja (Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia)
- Andreo (masculine, Spanish)
- Andressa (Spanish)
- Ndrea (Albanian)
Nicknames for Andrea
Andrea lends itself well to many nicknames, especially since it’s been so widespread across the globe.
- AJ
- Andee
- Andie
- Andre
- Andy
- Ann
- Annie
- Drea
- Rea
Similar Names to Andrea
These names either share similar sounds with Andrea or have similar meanings. If you’re looking for a name similar to Andrea (both masculine and feminine), consider some of these options:
- Adrian
- Adrienne
- Alexander
- Alexandra
- Andrieta
- Audrey
- Briana
- Evander
- Gabriella
- Garrett
- Kenzo
- Matilda
- Valentina
Middle Names for Andrea
If you’ve already decided to name your child Andrea, you might be looking for a great middle name. But what sounds good with Andrea? The versatility of the name means you have options. Here are just a few ideas for boys and girls:
- Elisa
- Enrico
- Gianna
- Jean
- Jo
- Lorenzo
- Marie
Sibling Names for Andrea
If you’ve already named one of your children Andrea, you might be considering what names will sound best for their siblings. There are several names with a shared Greek origin and others that pair well regardless, such as:
For a brother:
- Christopher
- Colin
- Jason
- Luca
- Nicholas
- Thomas
For a sister:
- Cassandra
- Caitlin
- Lydia
- Thalia
- Sophia
- Zoe
Famous People Named Andrea
From athletes to astronomers, history is full of famous people named Andrea, such as:
- Andrea Barber: American actress.
- Andrea Berg: German volleyball player.
- Andrea Bocelli: Italian operatic singer and instrumentalist.
- Andrea Corr: Irish musician.
- Andrea Ghez: American astronomer.
- Andrea Ferrara: Scottish artificer.
- Andrea Lanza di Montezemolo: Archbishop of Tuscania.
Andrea in Popular Culture
In popular culture, many representations are mostly female despite the name being used for both boys and girls. Let’s take a look at some famous Andreas in pop culture:
- Andrea: Character from animated TV series “Daria.”
- Andrea Davenport: Character from animated TV series “The Ghost and Molly McGee.”
- Andrea Harrison: Character from the comic and TV series “The Walking Dead.”
- Andrea Medina Rojas: Character from the anime series “My Hero Academia.”
- Andrea Sachs: Protagonist from the book and movie “The Devil Wears Prada.”
Andrea FAQs
You might still have a few questions about the name Andrea. We’ll answer a few of the most commonly asked here.
Is Andrea a Biblical Name?
The name Andrea does not appear in the bible. However, Andrea is considered in many cultures to be the feminine form of Andrew. Saint Andrew does appear in the bible as an Apostle of Christ (4).
Is Andrea an Italian Name?
Andrea is a very popular name in Italy for boys. However, the name’s origins are Greek.
Does Andrea Have a Spiritual Meaning?
The meaning of Andrea isn’t particularly spiritual. The origin of the word means manly. However, many Andrea have been highly spiritual people.
