Andre

Gender: Boy

Meaning: Manly and brave — courage with strength of character

Origin: French/Portuguese

Popularity: Ranked #368 in 2025 with 868 babies born.

History: Andre is the French and Portuguese form of Andrew, derived from the Greek 'Andreas,' a name rooted in the meaning 'manly and brave.' It spread across Europe through the influence of Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland and Russia, and became deeply embedded in Francophone and Lusophone cultures. In the United States, Andre emerged as a distinctive choice in the late 19th century, with first recorded instances appearing around 1880. The name gained steady momentum throughout the 20th century, reflecting America's growing cultural diversity and openness to European naming traditions. Andre experienced its greatest popularity during the 1970s, when 2,509 babies were given the name—marking its peak year of adoption in 1970. This surge coincided with broader American trends favoring international and multicultural names during a period of social transformation and cultural exploration. The name's appeal resonated across different communities, and it became a recognized staple in American naming culture. Across all recorded births in the United States, Andre accounts for 132,853 total instances, with 130,648 given to boys and 2,205 to girls, demonstrating its primary association with male naming. Andre achieved its best ranking at number 119 on popularity charts, though it has gradually declined in recent years. As of 2025, Andre ranks at number 368 with approximately 868 babies bearing the name annually, reflecting a shift toward newer or more contemporary naming choices. Despite this decline, Andre retains respect and recognition in American culture, maintaining a steady presence as a classic European name with modern sensibility.

Nicknames: Andy, Dre, D, Andi, Drew

Personality vibes: confident, bold, artistic, sophisticated, independent

Sibling name pairings: Marcus, Julian, Claire, Sophia, Ethan, Isabella, Lucas, Amber

Middle name ideas: Andre Michael, Andre James, Andre Christopher, Andre Benjamin, Andre Matthew, Andre Xavier, Andre Nicolas, Andre Laurent

Famous people named Andre:

• Andre Agassi — Tennis legend and eight-time Grand Slam champion.
• Andre 3000 — Hip-hop artist and founding member of OutKast.
• Andre the Giant — Professional wrestler and actor, wrestling icon.
• Andre Braugher — Emmy-winning actor known for Homicide and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
• Andre Reed — NFL Hall of Famer and Buffalo Bills wide receiver legend.

Andre in America Today

In contemporary America, Andre occupies a comfortable middle position in the naming landscape. With a current rank of 368 and approximately 868 babies named Andre annually as of 2025, the name appeals to parents seeking something familiar yet distinctive. Andre carries a cosmopolitan, European sensibility that suggests education and worldliness without being pretentious. The name resonates strongly across diverse demographic groups, reflecting its historical embrace by multicultural communities. For modern parents, Andre represents a bridge between classic tradition and contemporary style—it's established enough to be recognized and respected, yet uncommon enough to feel like an individual choice. The name works well across various professions and life contexts, from corporate settings to creative fields. Among millennial and Gen X generations, Andre often evokes positive cultural references including prominent athletes and entertainers. Parents choosing Andre today typically appreciate its international flair and the strength conveyed by its meaning, making it a thoughtful selection for families with appreciation for linguistic and cultural diversity.

Naming Trends

Andre's journey in American naming reflects broader demographic and cultural shifts. First appearing in official records around 1880, the name remained relatively modest through the early 20th century. Its trajectory accelerated dramatically during the 1960s and 1970s, culminating in 1970 with 2,509 births—the name's peak year and the point when it reached its best-ever ranking of number 119. This surge corresponds with American cultural movements emphasizing diversity, internationalism, and openness to names beyond Anglo-Saxon traditions. The 1970s represented a turning point when parents increasingly looked beyond traditional American naming conventions. Since that peak, Andre has experienced a gradual but consistent decline in popularity, following a pattern common to many names that surged in that era. With 132,853 total recorded births across American history, Andre maintains a solid cumulative presence. The recent drop to rank 368 with 868 annual births suggests parents are now gravitating toward different naming styles, whether more modern invented names or newly discovered international choices. This arc demonstrates how naming fashions evolve and how even once-popular names eventually yield to newer preferences.

Cultural Notes

Andre holds a distinctive place in American popular culture and real-world recognition. The name is most prominently associated with Andre Agassi, the tennis champion whose career spanned decades and made him a household name. Andre 3000, a founding member of OutKast, brought the name into hip-hop culture and brought it cultural cool during the 1990s and 2000s. Andre the Giant, the legendary professional wrestler, created an unforgettable cultural icon whose name became synonymous with extraordinary physical presence and charisma. In contemporary television and film, actors like Andre Braugher have given the name a sophisticated, serious edge. These cultural touchstones mean that Americans today recognize Andre as a name with real credentials and presence. The name avoids being trendy or overly fashionable, instead occupying a space of quiet strength and respectability. It appears across sports, entertainment, and professional fields without clustering in any single stereotype. For many Americans, Andre suggests someone accomplished and capable—whether in athletics, music, or arts. The name's multicultural origins also make it accessible and welcoming across different communities, contributing to its steady representation across American culture despite declining popularity among new babies.

Name length: 5 letters

How common is Andre? About 1 in 3,835 babies born in 2025 were named Andre, or roughly 2.4 per day in the United States.

Explore more baby names at BabyNa.me — 29,000+ names with meanings, origins, and popularity trends.