Rooted in Greek history and solidified through Spanish heritage, this name carries a definition of strength and bravery. It is a name that commands respect without demanding attention.
Verdict: Andres is a fantastic choice for a baby born in 2025. It offers the timeless reliability of a biblical classic but avoids the playground saturation of its English counterpart. It is perfect for parents seeking a name that bridges cultures, ages gracefully from boyhood to manhood, and carries a “silent strength” vibe.
Andres Overview
- Meaning: Andres means either “warrior” or “virile”.
- Gender: Andres is a masculine name.
- Origin: Spanish.
- Pronunciation: “AHN-dray” or “AHN-drehs”
- Popularity: Top 400 in the US.
- Nicknames: Ani, Dre.
- Variations: Andreas, Andrew.
- Namesakes: Andres Ehin, an Estonian poet; Andres Koort, an Estonian artist.
What Does Andres Mean?
At its core, Andres represents strength. The name means “warrior,” “manly,” and “virile.” However, to understand the true weight of the name, we must look at its etymology. It is derived from the Greek element aner (or the genitive andros), which specifically refers to “man” as opposed to “woman” or “god.”
The connotation here is not necessarily one of violent warfare, but rather of virtus, courage, valor, and the protective strength associated with the classical ideal of masculinity. When you name a child Andres, you are bestowing a title that suggests resilience and bravery.
Where Does the Name Andres Come From?
Andres is primarily known as the Spanish derivative of the name Andreas. Andreas is an ancient Greek boy name found in the New Testament.
In the Bible, St. Andrew (Andreas) was the first disciple called by Jesus. Because of this biblical significance, the name spread rapidly across Europe during the Middle Ages, evolving into different forms based on the local language. While Andrew took hold in the British Isles and André in France, Andres became the standard form in Spain and interestingly, Estonia, where it remains a cultural staple.
How Popular is the Name Andres?
Andres is what name experts call a “steady classic.” It rarely experiences the volatile spikes and crashes of trendy names; instead, it maintains a consistent presence.
In the United States, the name has been in usage since records began in 1880, but it found its true stride in the late 20th century alongside the rise of the Hispanic population in America. It climbed steadily through the 1980s and 1990s, becoming a mainstay on the charts.
While it has cooled slightly from its peak in the early 2000s (when it broke into the Top 200), it remains a comfortable favorite. According to recent Social Security Administration data (1), it generally ranks in the Top 400. This places it in the “Goldilocks” zone: familiar enough that everyone can spell and pronounce it, but rare enough that your child likely won’t share the name with three other boys in his class.
How Do I Pronounce Andres?
The pronunciation of Andres shifts beautifully depending on the speaker’s background:
- Spanish (Traditional): “ahn-DREHS” (with a rolled ‘r’ and a crisp ‘s’ at the end).
- American English: “AHN-drayz” or “AN-drez.”
- Estonian: “AHN-drehs” (often with a slightly shorter second vowel).
It is worth noting that some parents treat the “s” as silent to mimic the French “André,” pronouncing it “AHN-dray,” though this is less standard.
Is Andres a Boy or Girl Name?
Andres is strictly a masculine name. It literally translates to “manly,” which has kept it firmly in the boy’s category for centuries. Parents looking for a feminine equivalent almost universally choose Andrea.
Variations of Andres
Because the root name traveled so extensively through Christendom, there is a variation of Andres for nearly every language in Europe.
- Andreas: The original Greek and German form.
- Andrew: English.
- André: French and Portuguese.
- Andrei: Russian and Romanian.
- Anders: Scandinavian (Swedish/Danish).
- Antti: Finnish.
- Deandre: An African-American variation blending the prefix “De” with Andre.
- Ondrej: Slovak/Czech.
Nicknames for Andres
Andres is a sophisticated name, but every warrior needs a casual handle for the playground.
- Dre: Cool, rhythmic, and modern.
- Andy: The classic, friendly “guy next door” nickname.
- Andresito: A traditional Spanish term of endearment for a little Andres.
- Rez: A creative, edgy option derived from the end of the name.
- Rio: A rare, energetic nickname pulled from the letters within the name.
- Ani: A softer, European-style diminutive.
Names Similar to Andres
If you love the vibe of Andres, Latin roots, biblical history, and a soft-but-strong sound, but want to explore other options, consider these alternatives.
- Mateo: Like Andres, this is a Spanish classic that has crossed over into the mainstream English-speaking world with ease.
- Diego: Shares the spirited, vowels-only ending and Spanish heritage.
- Elias: Another Greek-Biblical name that feels intellectual and timeless.
- Adrian: Shares the initial “A” and the soft, gentlemanly European feel.
- Lucas: A top-tier classic that pairs perfectly with Andres stylistically.
- Rafael: Offers that same romantic, strong, multi-syllabic rhythm.
- Angel: A popular Hispanic choice that shares the spiritual connotation.
- Joaquin: A strong, historic option for parents wanting something slightly more distinct.
- Alejandro: The “cousin” to Andres in terms of length and lyrical quality.
Middle Names for Andres
Andres is a versatile first name. It ends in a consonant sound, which allows it to flow well with both vowel-starting and consonant-starting middle names.
Classic & Traditional
These pairings anchor the name in history, perfect for a distinguished feel.
Modern & Edgy
Contrast the history of Andres with a short, punchy middle name.
Nature & Boho
Soften the “warrior” meaning with an earthy middle name.
Sibling Names for Andres
Creating a sibset requires balancing the “era” and origin of the names. You generally want names that feel just as established as Andres.
For a Brother
- Carlos: A sturdy, kingly name that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Andres.
- Julian: Shares the Roman/Latin roots and gentle strength.
- Esteban: The Spanish form of Stephen, matching Andres in syllabic rhythm.
- Javier: Offers a slightly more energetic sound while remaining traditional.
- Jose: A timeless pairing that honors heritage.
For a Sister
- Isabella: The ultimate romantic pairing for Andres.
- Sofia: Both names mean wisdom/strength and work in almost any language.
- Camila: A lyrical, soft name that complements the consonant ending of Andres.
- Elena: Shares the Greek-to-Spanish etymology pipeline.
- Lucia: Bright and classic, matching the “A” start of Andres essentially.
Famous People Named Andres
This name has graced the jerseys of world-class athletes and the book jackets of famous poets.
- Andrés Iniesta: One of the greatest football (soccer) midfielders of all time, a Spanish icon who scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup.
- Andrés Segovia: A virtuoso Spanish guitarist regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time and the grandfather of the classical guitar movement.
- Andrés Galarraga: Known as “The Big Cat,” a famous Venezuelan Major League Baseball player.
- Andres Ehin: An acclaimed Estonian writer and poet known for his surrealist style.
- Andres Manuel López Obrador: A prominent Mexican politician and President of Mexico.
- Andres Serrano: An award-winning contemporary American photographer and artist.
Andres in Pop Culture
While less ubiquitous than “Andrew” in Hollywood scripts, Andres appears in various media forms.
- Andrés “Andy” Goddzer: A central character from the popular Argentine telenovela Graduados.
- “Andres”: A hit song by the grunge band L7, released in the 1990s.
- San Andreas Fault: While spelled slightly differently, this famous geological feature in California is named after the San Andres Valley.
FAQs About the Name Andres
These are the most commonly asked questions about the name Andres.
Is There a Female Version of the Name Andres?
The feminine versions of Andres are the names Andrea and Andressa. These names are also feminine versions of Andreo, Andre, Andrei, and Andrew. Andrea and Andressa share the same meaning as Andres.
Do Any Other Names Share Meaning With Andres?
Andres means warrior and there are plenty of names that also mean warrior. Some of these names include Alvaro, Alessia, Armand, Bellatrix, Boris, Casey, Clothilde, Chevy, Duncan, Gunther, Hilda, Igor, and Kelly.
Andres can also mean virile. Several names also share that meaning. For example, there is Arcenio, Cassandra, Mariana, Sandra, Tillman, Almas, and Arsen. Some of these names only mean virile, while others mean virile and warrior, sharing a more complete meaning with Andres.
Does Andres Have a Biblical Connection?
Yes, Andres is the Spanish form of Andrew. In the Christian New Testament, Andrew was a fisherman and the brother of Simon Peter. He was the very first disciple called by Jesus Christ, making the name historically significant in Christian theology.
Should I Spell Andres With an Accent Mark?
In strict Spanish grammar, the name is spelled Andrés with an acute accent over the ‘e’ to indicate the stress falls on the final syllable. However, in the United States and other English-speaking countries, the accent mark is frequently omitted on birth certificates and official documents for simplicity, making “Andres” the standard spelling.
Is Andres Considered a Rare Name?
Andres is not considered rare, but it is not “trendy” either. It is a stable, well-established name. While you likely won’t hear it as often as Liam or Noah, it is recognizable and familiar. In specific communities, particularly Hispanic and Estonian populations, it is much more common.
