Andrew Overview
- Meaning: The name Andrew is a Greek name meaning “strong” and “manly.” It is a biblical name, and that has led to it being very popular across the globe.
- Gender: Andrew is primarily a name given to boys. There are, however, many female iterations of the name.
- Origin: Andrew is derived from the Greek name “Andreas.” It was popularized by Andrew the Apostle, Jesus’s first apostle in the Christian Bible and commonly known as Saint Andrew.
- Pronunciation: The most common way to pronounce Andrew is “AN-droo.” It can also be pronounced as “AAHN-droo.”
- Popularity: Andrew is a very popular name in Australia, Canada, European countries, and the United States.
- Nicknames: Andy, Andre, Androminator, Dre, Drew, Drew-Bear, Drewby, Drey.
- Variations: Aindrea, Andria, Anders, Andraž, André, Andros, Andreea, Andreia, Andressa, Andreu, Andreus, Andrėja, Andri, Andrijana, Andžejs, Andrius, Andriy, Andrzeja.
- Namesakes: Andrew Garfield, Andrew Jackson, Andrew Lincoln, Andrew (“Andy”) Murray.
What Does Andrew Mean?
The name Andrew is derived from the Greek boy’s name “ἀνδρέας” (“Andreas”) (1). That came from the Ancient Greek word “ἀνήρ,” meaning “strong” or “manly.” It has other accepted translations, including “courageous,” “warrior,” and “brave.”
What Is the Origin of the Name Andrew?
Andrew is a variant of the Greek name Andreas, which is derived from the element “ἀνήρ,” meaning “man.” In Christian tradition, Andrew was also the name of Jesus’ first disciple, Andrew the Apostle. He was the brother of Simon Peter and is now commonly known as Saint Andrew. From there, it became one of the most popular names today.
How Popular Is the Name Andrew?
Andrew is a very popular name. At the turn of the 21st Century, Andrew was the second most popular name for boys in Australia. It had never been in the top ten before that but saw a significant jump from 1999.
The name was also popular in Canada and Europe, staying in the top 30 names in each. After 1992, Andrew frequently topped the name charts in Scotland. Many of its variants are also commonly used, such as in Norway. There, “Andreas” is a top-five name for boys.
In the United States, it consistently appeared in the top ten names for boys during the early 21st Century. It ranked number 52 in 2020 (2).
There is a day dedicated to Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Greece, Russia, and Scotland.
How Do I Pronounce Andrew?
The most common way to pronounce Andrew is “AN-droo.” The second most common is to place emphasis on the “ah” sound in the beginning, such as “AAHN-droo.”
Is Andrew a Boy or Girl Name?
Andrew is primarily a name given to boys. There are, however, many female iterations that have appeared all over the world.
Variations of Andrew
Andrew is a popular name with biblical ties that has spread between nations, beliefs, and cultures. Some popular variations include:
- Aindrea (Greek)
- Andria (Greek)
- Anders (Scandinavian)
- Andraž (Slovene)
- André (French and Portuguese)
- Andros (Greek)
- Andreea (Romanian, feminine)
- Andreia (Portuguese, feminine)
- Andressa (Brazilian, feminine)
- Andreu (Catalan and French)
- Andreus (French)
- Andrėja (Croatian, feminine)
- Andri (Scandinavian)
- Andrijana (Slavic, feminine)
- Andžejs (Polish)
- Andrius (Lithuanian)
- Andriy (Ukrainian)
- Andrzeja (Polish, feminine)
Nicknames for Andrew
But for how many variations there are, only a few nicknames exist in comparison.
Some of those nicknames include:
- Andy
- Andre
- Androminator
- Dre
- Drew
- Drew-Bear
- Drewby
- Drey
Similar Names to Andrew
There are also a handful of names similar to Andrew, some of which are biblical while others are not.
These include:
- Aaron
- Abraham
- Adam
- Alexander
- Caleb
- Daniel
- David
- Elias
- Isaac
- Jacob
- James
- Jonah
- Joseph
- Luke
- Matthew
- Zachary
Middle Names for Andrew
Andrew is often a middle name itself, but some great pairings with it as a first name include:
- Adam
- Adler
- Anthony
- Bartholemew
- Benjamin
- Bobby
- Caleb
- Curtis
- David
- Douglas
- Joseph
- Michael
- Noah
- Sampson
Sibling Names for Andrew
Many names go great alongside Andrew for a sibling, whether boy or girl. Some of them include:
For a brother:
- Anthony
- Adam
- Edward
- Isaiah
- James
- Julian
- Michael
- Nathan
- Noah
- Samuel
- Thomas
And for a sister:
- Elouise
- Emily
- Emma
- Etta
- Evelyn
- Evie
- Grace
- Hannah
- Hazel
- Isobel
- Isobella
- Kate
- Lillian
- Lily
- Rebecca
Famous People Named Andrew
There are also many famous people named Andrew. The first that comes to mind is Andy Murray, the British tennis star.
Some other famous Andrews include (3):
- Andrew Carnegie: American steel magnate and philanthropist.
- Andrew Garfield: American-British actor.
- Andrew Jackson: American general and politician, seventh President of the United States of America.
- Andrew (“Andy”) Kaufman: American comedian and actor.
- Andrew Lincoln: British actor noted for his lead in “The Walking Dead.”
- Andrew (“Andy”) Murray: British tennis player.
Andrew in Popular Culture
Today, many Andrews are characters in pop culture as well.
You might recognize these fictional characters:
- Andy Bernard: Character in the American version of “The Office.”
- Andy Dufresne: Main character in the movie and book “The Shawshank Redemption.”
- Andy Dwyer: A character in the American television program “Parks and Recreation.”
- Andrew Neiman: Character from the film “Whiplash.”
- Sheriff Andy Taylor: The main character from “The Andy Griffith Show.”
Andrew FAQs
There might be some other questions in your mind about the name Andrew. Let’s look at some.
Is Andrew a Powerful Name?
With such a rich history, Andrew (in its English form) is very popular. It also has biblical ties, as well as having been given to many world leaders and religious figures.
It still has a softer connotation as well, especially when it’s shortened to “Andy” or “Drew.” It is a strong name.
Is Andrew an Attractive Name?
As a name with commonality, yet sophistication, Andrew is an attractive name. Being not as common as names like John or Robert helps, and nicknames don’t hurt either.
