Andrew

Gender: Boy

Meaning: Strong and manly

Origin: Greek — from andreios (manly, brave), from aner/andros (man)

Popularity: Ranked #73 in 2025 with 4,497 babies born.

History: Andrew holds one of the deepest roots in Christian tradition and English-speaking culture. As the first apostle called by Jesus, Andrew became the patron saint of Scotland, Russia, Greece, and Romania—a distinction that elevated the name across continents and centuries. Medieval crusaders and Christian missionaries carried the name throughout Europe, and it became firmly established in England by the Norman period. In America, Andrew arrived with early colonists and maintained steady prestige through the nation's founding and expansion. Two U.S. presidents—Andrew Jackson (1829–1837) and Andrew Johnson (1865–1869)—bore the name during pivotal historical moments, anchoring it in the American political imagination. The name's popularity arc in modern America is striking and well-documented. First recorded in reliable U.S. birth data in 1880, Andrew climbed steadily through the 20th century, reflecting both its classical roots and its accessibility to successive waves of American families. The ascent accelerated dramatically in the 1980s and 1990s, peaking in 1987 when 36,205 American boys received the name, securing a rank of number 5—a position that underscored Andrew's place as a mainstream favorite across regions, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Over 1.3 million Americans have been named Andrew since 1880, making it one of the most common male names in the nation. While it has moderated in recent years—ranking 73rd in 2025 with 4,497 births—Andrew has rarely fallen below the top 20 historically, a testament to its enduring appeal and cultural stability across generational lines.

Nicknames: Andy, Drew, Andre, Andi, Dre

Personality vibes: confident, reliable, approachable, steadfast, natural leader

Sibling name pairings: James, William, Benjamin, Christopher, Elizabeth, Margaret, Caroline, Charlotte

Middle name ideas: Andrew James, Andrew Michael, Andrew Robert, Andrew Joseph, Andrew Thomas, Andrew Alexander, Andrew David, Andrew Christopher

Famous people named Andrew:

• Andrew Jackson — 7th U.S. President, military hero, and polarizing political figure.
• Andrew Johnson — 17th U.S. President, served after Lincoln's assassination.
• Andrew Carnegie — Scottish-American steel magnate and philanthropist of the Gilded Age.
• Andrew Lloyd Webber — Legendary British composer of The Phantom of the Opera and Cats.
• Andrew Garfield — British-American actor known for The Amazing Spider-Man films.
• Andrew Wiles — Mathematician who proved Fermat's Last Theorem in 1995.

Andrew in America Today

In 2025, Andrew ranks 73rd among American boy names, a significant drop from its peak but still solidly mainstream and recognizable across all demographic groups. The name carries a balanced profile: it reads as traditional without feeling dated, masculine without aggression, and accessible across regions and socioeconomic backgrounds. Among parents today, Andrew appeals to those seeking a name with genuine historical weight and proven staying power—not trendy, but never quite out of fashion. It remains particularly common among millennials and older Gen Z, reflecting the 1980s-1990s naming boom. The name has transcended religious boundaries; while rooted in Christian tradition, it is chosen by families of all faiths. Andrew typically projects competence and reliability, making it a frequent choice for parents who value timelessness over novelty.

Naming Trends

Andrew's rise through American naming history is one of the most dramatic and sustained arcs on record. Entering reliable birth data in 1880, the name climbed methodically through the early 20th century, gaining momentum through the 1960s and 1970s. The explosive acceleration came in the 1980s and early 1990s: by 1987, Andrew had reached number 5 nationally with 36,205 births, one of the highest single-year totals for any name in that era. This peak reflected a cultural moment when parents gravitated toward names that felt both classical and contemporary. The subsequent decline has been gradual but consistent; the name moved outside the top 20 in the 2010s and now sits at 73rd in 2025. Despite this moderation, Andrew has accumulated over 1.3 million American bearers since records began, making it one of the nation's foundational male names. The pattern mirrors broader shifts toward shorter, more distinctive, or internationally-flavored names among younger parents.

Cultural Notes

Andrew maintains a solid presence in American media and public life, though its cultural profile has shifted from dominant to established. The presidential legacy—Jackson and Johnson—remains the most historically significant cultural anchor, teaching Americans to associate the name with power and consequence. In contemporary entertainment, Andrew Garfield's portrayal of Spider-Man introduced the name to younger audiences, while Andrew Lloyd Webber's theatrical achievements tied it to artistic prestige. The name appears frequently in sports, academia, business, and politics without being particularly trendy in any single field. In everyday life, Andrew is commonly encountered across age groups, professions, and regions—which is both its strength (universal recognition, no negative associations) and its vulnerability (lacks distinctiveness in peer groups). Popular culture has not created singular iconic Andrews in recent decades the way it has with some other names, allowing Andrew to remain somewhat neutral ground—a name that works without calling excessive attention to itself.

Name length: 6 letters

How common is Andrew? About 1 in 739 babies born in 2025 were named Andrew, or roughly 12.3 per day in the United States.

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