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.

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.

  • Origin: The name Andrew is a variant of the Greek name Andreas and means “strong and manly.“Gender: Andrew is historically a masculine name most commonly used for boys. Feminine variants such as Andrea and Andi are popular among girls.Pronunciation: an-droo

Although many baby names are separated by gender, Verywell Family believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.

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:

  • AaronAbrahamAdamBenjaminDanElijahGabrielGideonIsaacJacobLeviLucasLukeMarkMatthewMicahSilasThomas

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 YorkAndrew Garfield, American-British actor known for his lead role in “The Amazing Spider-Man"Andrew Jackson, seventh U.S. presidentAndrew Johnson, 17th U.S. presidentAndrew Lincoln, English actor known for his starring role on AMC’s TV series “The Walking Dead"Andrew Lloyd Webber, English composerPrince 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 playerAndy Warhol, American artistAndy 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 quarterbackDrew Pinsky, an American medical specialist and media personality also known as Dr. DrewDrew Struzan, American artist known for creating movie posters

More Baby Names

Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options: 

  • Top 1,000 Baby Boy Names in the U.S.
  • 100 Biblical Baby Names
  • 100 Greek Baby Names and Meanings