Aubrey Name Meaning: Origin, Popularity & Nicknames

What Does Aubrey Mean?

Both the male and female versions of “Aubrey” derive from an Old English given name that means “Elf King,” “supernatural being,” “chieftain,” and “ruler.” These, in turn, came from French and Old German words telling a story about magical elves within its meaning ⁽¹⁾.

What Is the Origin of the Name Aubrey?

Before the name was an English staple, it was an Old High German family name, “Alberic” or “Alberich.” These were combinations of two German words, “Alf,” meaning “Elf,” and “Rik,” meaning “King.”

The French then took those German girl names and derived “Aubry” from them. The English then adopted it and used its variant, “Aubrey,” as a successor to Ælfric, common in the Medieval era ⁽²⁾.

The feminine form of the name came from the Old French “Aubree,” which derived from “Albereda.” It kept the same meaning.

How Popular Is the Name Aubrey?

The name “Aubrey” is very popular. In the United States, it is more common to find it in feminine form. It peaked in popularity in 2012 when it reached the impressive position of 15th. In 2021, it held on to 65th.

On the other hand, the male use of the name has taken a nosedive. It hasn’t made the top 1000 for most popular names since 2002 ⁽³⁾.

How Do I Pronounce Aubrey?

“Aubrey” is pronounced, “AW-bree.” There are no other common pronunciations for the name.

Is Aubrey a Boy or Girl Name?

“Aubrey” is truly a unisex name and can be validly used for all genders. While it is most popular for girls, Aubrey was a traditional boy’s name.

Variations of Aubrey

Aubrey made its way through German, French, and English-speaking countries, and it picked up a variety of iterations along the way. Some of them include:

• Aubery (English)
• Aubre (French)
• Aubree (French)
• Aubreigh (German)
• Aubrette (German)
• Aubri (German)
• Aubriana (German)
• Aubrianna (German)
• Aubrianne (German)
• Aubrie (German)
• Aubry (French)
• Aubury(German)

Nicknames for Aubrey

There are plenty of fun nicknames to pull out of “Aubrey.” Some of the most widespread favorites include:

• Aub
• Aubs
• Bree
• Bri
• Brie

Similar Names to Aubrey

“Aubrey” has a special ring to it, so what names also conjure that same feeling? These names feel similar:

• Aspen
• Autumn
• Audrey
• Ava
• Avery
• Cori
• Emily
• Hannah
• Lyla

Middle Names for Aubrey

If you’re wondering which middle names compliment “Aubrey,” look no further. Try any of these out:

• Brianne
• Celeste
• Eloise
• Evangelina
• Georgia
• Jacqueline
• Josephine
• Katherine
• Marie
• Pauline

Sibling Names for Aubrey

When choosing a sibling name for an “Aubrey,” it’s important to find some that work alongside each other. Some possibilities that would be an excellent choice for a sibling to Aubrey include:

For a brother:

• Christopher
• Gregory
• Harry
• John
• Leo
• Michael
• Miles
• Nolan
• Oli
• Paul

For a sister:

• Alice
• Cassie
• Camilla
• Grace
• Hazel
• Inigo
• Jennifer
• Lila
• Rubina
• Zena

Famous People Named Aubrey

Many famous people named “Aubrey,” as either a first or last name, have achieved prominence in numerous fields. Some of the most identifiable include:

• Aubrey Anderson-Emmons: American actress noted for her role in the television series “Modern Family.”
• Aubrey Beardsley: British illustrator and author best known for his black ink drawings inspired by Japanese wood art.
• Aubrey “Drake” Graham: Canadian actor and rapper better known as “Drake,” one of the highest-grossing musical artists of all time.
• Aubrey Morris: British actor is known for his roles in “A Clockwork Orange” and “The Wicker Man.”
• Aubrey O’Day: American singer and songwriter from the group “Dumblonde.”
• Aubrey Plaza: American actress, comedian, and producer. She is best known for her roles on the television program “Parks and Rec” and in the film “Dirty Grandpa.”

Aubrey in Popular Culture

In popular culture, Aubrey is perhaps most associated with Jack Aubrey, a fictional character created by Patrick O’Brian. However, plenty of other Aubreys have made their mark in literature, television, and film:

• Aubrey: The narrator and a character from The Vampyre by John Polidori.
• Aubrey: The main character from the cartoon series by the same name, “Aubrey.”
• Aubrey: A character from the vampire novel Demon in My View.
• “AUBREY”: A character from the horror computer game “OMORI.”
• Aubrey Boyce: A character from the British show, “Only Fools and Horses.”
• Aubrey deLint: A character from David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest.
• Aubrey Fleming: A character played by Lindsey Lohan in the film “I Know Who Killed Me.”
• Aubrey James: A character from the comedy movie “Stroker Ace.”
• Aubrey Little: A character played by Travis McElroy in “The Adventure Zone.”
• Aubrey Posen: one of the main characters from the movie “Pitch Perfect.”
• Aubrey Valentine: A character from the British television show “EastEnders.”

Aubrey FAQs

If you’re looking for further information about Aubrey, read on to get the answers to several fascinating questions.