"manly, brave"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Andy
Pronunciation: [ AND-ee ]
Does Andy flow with your last name?
A friendly classic rooted in ancient Greek courage
English
American
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Classic
Playful
Bold
Traditional
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"strong man, warrior"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
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The Story of Andy
Andy is a diminutive of Andrew, which comes from the Greek 'Andreas,' derived from 'aner' meaning man, and more specifically a brave or courageous man. Andrew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, the first called according to John's Gospel. The name spread throughout Europe with Christianity, and Andy emerged as an informal nickname that gradually became an independent given name in the 20th century.
Andy was a widely used independent given name in the United States from the 1940s through the 1970s. Pop artist Andy Warhol and children's show host Andy Griffith kept the name in the public consciousness. It has declined somewhat as full names like Andrew and Anders gain preference, though Andy remains popular in Spanish-speaking communities.
Andy is one of the classic American guy-next-door names, evoking approachability and friendliness. In Latin American countries, Andy (and Andi) are used for both boys and girls. The name feels quintessentially mid-century American.
Historical Record
Andy first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 81,173 babies have been named Andy in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Andy is past its peak , currently ranked #489 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Andy Warhol was born Andrew Warhola, shortening both his first and last name
- Andy is unusual in that it functions as both an independent name and a diminutive with equal frequency
Andy in Other Languages
French
André
German
Andreas
Italian
Andrea
Spanish
Andi
Portuguese
André
Popularity Over Time
#489
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1964
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Andy
A
Andy Murray
Athlete
1987
Scottish tennis player, three-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one
A
Andy Warhol
Artist
1928
American pop art pioneer who created iconic works depicting Campbell's Soup cans and Marilyn Monroe
A
Andy Griffith
Actor
1926
American actor and comedian, star of The Andy Griffith Show, one of the most beloved TV series in US history
A
Andy Fictional
Other
The beloved owner of Woody and Buzz in Pixar's Toy Story franchise
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #489
- Total SSA Count
- 628
- Cultural Origins
- English American Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
And
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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Andy
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Andy is also used as a girl name, ranked #4391.
View Andy as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Andy
What does the name Andy mean?
"manly, brave" (from Greek). "strong man, warrior" (from Greek). Andy is a diminutive of Andrew, which comes from the Greek 'Andreas,' derived from 'aner' meaning man, and more specifically a brave or courageous man. Andrew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, the first called according to John's Gospel. The name spread throughout Europe with Christianity, and Andy emerged as an informal nickname that gradually became an independent given name in the 20th century.
What is the origin of the name Andy?
Andy has Greek, English, American, and Spanish origins. In Greek, it means "manly, brave". In Greek, it means "strong man, warrior".
Is Andy a boy or girl name?
Andy is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #489. As a girl name, it is ranked #4391. Andy is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Andy?
Andy is pronounced AND-ee.
How popular is the name Andy?
Andy is currently ranked #489 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Andy?
Common nicknames for Andy include And.
What are good middle names for Andy?
Popular middle name pairings include Andy James, Andy Cole, Andy Lee, Andy Ray, Andy Scott, Andy Thomas, and Andy Paul.
What are good sibling names for Andy?
Names that pair well with Andy as siblings include Tommy, Bobby, Cindy, Jenny, Sam, Billy, and Ellie.
How many syllables does Andy have?
Andy has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Andy a common or rare name?
Andy is a popular name, ranked #489 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Andy?
About the Name Andy
Andy is a boy name with English, American, and Spanish origins . The name means "manly, brave" in Greek .
Is Andy a boy or girl name? Andy is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #489 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #4,391. Andy is more commonly used as a boy name.
Andy is currently ranked #489 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Andy has 2 syllables and is pronounced AND-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Andy include And. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Andy include Andrew, Andres, Andre, Anderson, Ander . 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