"manly, brave, strong"
Origin: Greek aner/andros (man)
Language: Greek
Anders
Pronunciation: [ AND-erz ]
Does Anders flow with your last name?
The sleek Scandinavian Andrew for modern parents
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Anders
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"warrior"
Origin: Proto-Indo-European root
Language: Greek
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Things to Know About This Name
- Anders Breivik, the Norwegian far-right terrorist responsible for the 2011 Norway attacks, is a significant negative association in Scandinavian countries
The Story of Anders
Anders is the Scandinavian form of Andrew, derived from the Greek name Andreas, from the Greek word aner/andros meaning man (in the sense of male human). Saint Andrew, the apostle and patron saint of Scotland, Greece, Russia, and Romania, spread this name across Europe in the early Christian era. In Scandinavia, it has been borne by royalty and commoners alike for over a millennium.
Anders has been a consistently popular name throughout Scandinavia for centuries, ranking in the top 50 in Sweden and Norway. In the United States, it has been rising since the 2000s as parents seek Scandinavian alternatives to common names like Andrew or Anderson.
In Sweden and Norway, Anders is one of the classic male names carrying centuries of cultural weight. Saint Andrew the Apostle is the patron saint of Scotland, Greece, Russia, Romania, Ukraine, and several other nations, making this name remarkably widespread.
Historical Record
Anders first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 7,575 babies have been named Anders in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Anders is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #835 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saint Andrew is the patron saint of more countries than almost any other saint - including Scotland, Greece, Russia, Romania, and Ukraine
- Anders is consistently a top-10 name in Norway and a top-50 name in Sweden
Anders in Other Languages
Greek
Andreas
French
Andre
English
Andrew
Italian
Andrea
Russian
Andrei
Spanish
Andres
Swedish/Norwegian/Danish
Anders
Popularity Over Time
#835
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Anders
A
Anders Zorn
Artist
1860
Swedish painter and printmaker, one of Scandinavia's greatest 19th-century artists
A
Anders Celsius
Scientist
1701
Swedish astronomer and physicist who proposed the Celsius temperature scale in 1742
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #835
- Total SSA Count
- 297
- Cultural Origins
- Swedish Norwegian Danish Finnish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Andy
Ander
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Anders
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Anders is also used as a girl name, ranked #39443.
View Anders as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Swedish)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Anders
What does the name Anders mean?
"manly, brave, strong" (from Greek aner/andros (man)). "warrior" (from Proto-Indo-European root). Anders is the Scandinavian form of Andrew, derived from the Greek name Andreas, from the Greek word aner/andros meaning man (in the sense of male human). Saint Andrew, the apostle and patron saint of Scotland, Greece, Russia, and Romania, spread this name across Europe in the early Christian era. In Scandinavia, it has been borne by royalty and commoners alike for over a millennium.
What is the origin of the name Anders?
Anders has Greek aner/andros (man), Proto-Indo-European root, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, and American origins. In Greek aner/andros (man), it means "manly, brave, strong". In Proto-Indo-European root, it means "warrior".
Is Anders a boy or girl name?
Anders is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #835. As a girl name, it is ranked #39443. Anders is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Anders?
Anders is pronounced AND-erz.
How popular is the name Anders?
Anders is currently ranked #835 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Anders?
Common nicknames for Anders include Andy and Ander.
What are good middle names for Anders?
Popular middle name pairings include Anders James, Anders Erik, Anders Lars, Anders Bjorn, Anders Cole, Anders Reid, and Anders Grant.
What are good sibling names for Anders?
Names that pair well with Anders as siblings include Soren, Magnus, Astrid, Ingrid, Lars, Sigrid, and Bjorn.
How many syllables does Anders have?
Anders has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Anders a common or rare name?
Anders is moderately common, ranked #835 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What boy names are similar to Anders?
About the Name Anders
Anders is a boy name with Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, and American origins . The name means "manly, brave, strong" in Greek aner/andros (man) .
Is Anders a boy or girl name? Anders is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #835 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #39,443. Anders is more commonly used as a boy name.
Anders is currently ranked #835 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Anders has 2 syllables and is pronounced AND-erz, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Anders include Andy and Ander. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Anders include Anderson, Ander, Andersen . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis