Andrew Name Meaning

Andrew is a Greek name meaning "strong and manly." It's a variant of the Greek name Andreas, which is derived from the element aner, meaning "man." Andrew was the name of Jesus' first disciple, and Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Greece, Russia, and Scotland.

How Popular Is the Name Andrew?

Andrew certainly isn't a stranger to the list of popular baby names. Odds are you've probably met quite a few people who bear the name. Andrew has stayed in the top 100 names in the United States since 1900. It spent 12 consecutive years in the top 10 from 1996 to 2007, with 2003 being its most popular year. Since then, its popularity has gradually declined, and in 2020 it held the No. 52 spot in the United States.

Although Andrew's ranking has taken a hit in recent years, it's still considered a timeless name for baby boys. Its biblical reference has been the main source of popularity, but two American presidents—Andrew Johnson and Andrew Jackson—certainly helped make it a strong choice for parents. It's also a fairly popular name across England and Ireland.

Name Variations

Given the historical significance of the name Andrew, there are variations in many different languages. These include:

• Aindréas (Irish)
• Anders (Scandinavian)
• Andras (Hungarian)
• Andre (Portuguese)
• André (French)
• Andrea (Italian)
• Andrei (Rumanian, Russian)
• Andrés (Spanish)
• Andreas (German)
• Andrzej (Polish)

Similar Names

Other biblical names for boys:

• Aaron
• Abraham
• Adam
• Benjamin
• Dan
• Elijah
• Gabriel
• Gideon
• Isaac
• Jacob
• Levi
• Lucas
• Luke
• Mark
• Matthew
• Micah
• Silas
• Thomas

Other boy names starting with A:

• Aaron
• Abel
• Adrian
• Aiden
• Alex
• Amir
• Anderson
• Anthony
• Asher
• Ashton
• Austin
• Axel
• Ayden

Common Nicknames

Common nicknames for Andrew include:

• Andy: Suggests a friendly, generous personality like actor Andy Griffith, with the entertainer spirit of singer Andy Williams. He's sociable and easy-going, and always fun to be around.
• Drew: Free-spirited and courageous, Drew is always up for an adventure. The name suggests someone sensible, reliable, and unafraid of change. Whether it's the determination of NFL quarterback Drew Brees or the fun-loving personality of actor Drew Carey, you're always in store for a good time.

Famous People Named Andrew

Given the name's long-running popularity, you don't have to look far for famous Andrews. Here are some of the most notable ones:

Famous Andrews

• Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York
• Andrew Garfield, American-British actor known for his lead role in "The Amazing Spider-Man"
• Andrew Jackson, seventh U.S. president
• Andrew Johnson, 17th U.S. president
• Andrew Lincoln, English actor known for his starring role on AMC's TV series "The Walking Dead"
• Andrew Lloyd Webber, English composer
• Prince Andrew, Duke of York, son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh

Famous Andys

• Andy Garcia, American actor known for his roles in "The Untouchables" and "Ocean's Eleven"
• Andy Roddick, American tennis player
• Andy Warhol, American artist
• Andy Williams, American singer

Famous Drews

• Drew Barrymore, American actress known for many movie roles, including "Charlie's Angels" and "50 First Dates"
• Drew Bledsoe, former NFL quarterback
• Drew Pinsky, an American medical specialist and media personality also known as Dr. Drew
• Drew Struzan, American artist known for creating movie posters