"manly, brave"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Andrei
Pronunciation: [ ANDR-ay ]
Boy Name
#2,251 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
The apostle's name in its most elegant Eastern European form
Romanian
Russian
Bulgarian
Greek
Eastern European
Classic
Sophisticated
Strong
Elegant
Meaning & Origin
The Story of Andrei
Andrei is the Eastern European form of Andrew, derived from the Greek Andreas, from aner (genitive: andros) meaning man. The name goes back to Saint Andrew the Apostle, the brother of Saint Peter and patron saint of Scotland, Russia, Greece, Romania, and several other nations — making it one of the most widely venerated names in Christianity.
Andrei remains a classic throughout Eastern Europe, consistently popular in Romania, Russia, Bulgaria, and Ukraine. As Eastern European immigration increased globally, Andrei became more familiar in Western countries as a sophisticated alternative to Andrew or Andre.
Saint Andrew (Sfantul Andrei) is the patron saint of Romania, with November 30th celebrated as a major national holiday. In Russia, Saint Andrew's Cross appears on the naval ensign. The name carries deep Orthodox Christian significance across Eastern Europe.
Fun Facts
- Saint Andrew is patron of Scotland, Russia, Romania, Greece, Ukraine, and several other countries simultaneously
- The X-shaped saltire cross (Saint Andrew's Cross) appears on the flags of Scotland, Jamaica, and the Confederate battle flag
Andrei in Other Languages
Greek
Andreas
French
Andre
Russian
Andrei
Romanian
Andrei
Bulgarian
Andrei
Famous People Named Andrei
A
Andrei Tarkovsky
Other
1932
Russian film director considered one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, known for Stalker and Solaris
A
Andrei Rublev
Artist
1360
Medieval Russian iconographer considered the greatest Russian icon painter, subject of Tarkovsky's 1966 film
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,251
- Total SSA Count
- 64
- Cultural Origins
- Romanian Russian Bulgarian Greek Eastern European
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Andi
Andre
Pairs Well With
Andrei Stefan
Andrei Mihai
Andrei Victor
Andrei Alexandru
Andrei Ioan
Andrei Cristian
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Andrei
What does the name Andrei mean?
"manly, brave" (from Greek). Andrei is the Eastern European form of Andrew, derived from the Greek Andreas, from aner (genitive: andros) meaning man. The name goes back to Saint Andrew the Apostle, the brother of Saint Peter and patron saint of Scotland, Russia, Greece, Romania, and several other nations — making it one of the most widely venerated names in Christianity.
What is the origin of the name Andrei?
Andrei has Greek, Romanian, Russian, Bulgarian, and Eastern European origins. In Greek, it means "manly, brave".
Is Andrei a boy or girl name?
Andrei is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Andrei?
Andrei is pronounced ANDR-ay.
How popular is the name Andrei?
Andrei is currently ranked #2251 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Andrei?
Common nicknames for Andrei include Andi and Andre.
What are good middle names for Andrei?
Popular middle name pairings include Andrei Stefan, Andrei Mihai, Andrei Victor, Andrei Alexandru, Andrei Ioan, and Andrei Cristian.
What are good sibling names for Andrei?
Names that pair well with Andrei as siblings include Mihai, Cristina, Elena, Stefan, Maria, and Radu.
How many syllables does Andrei have?
Andrei has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Andrei a common or rare name?
Andrei is an uncommon name, ranked #2251 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Andrei
Andrei is a boy name with Romanian, Russian, Bulgarian, Greek, and Eastern European origins . The name means "manly, brave" in Greek .
Andrei is currently ranked #2,251 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Andrei has 2 syllables and is pronounced ANDR-ay, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Andrei include Andi and Andre. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Andrei include Andrew, Andres, Andre, Andreas, Andrey . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.