"noble strength"
Origin: Old English (Aethelthryth)
Language: English
Audrey
Pronunciation: [ AWDR-ee ]
Does Audrey flow with your last name?
Old Hollywood glamour with a saint's strong heart
English
French
American
Vintage
Classic
Elegant
Sophisticated
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"noble power"
Origin: Old English (aethel + thryth)
Language: English
"noble strength"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
"noble and powerful"
Origin: Old English æthel + thryth
Language: Old English
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The Story of Audrey
Audrey is the modern English form of the Old English name Æthelthryth, meaning 'noble strength' (from 'æthel' meaning noble and 'thryth' meaning strength). Saint Æthelthryth, a 7th-century English queen who founded a monastery at Ely, was so beloved that her nickname Audrey became a common name. By the 16th century Shakespeare used 'Audrey' as a common rural name in As You Like It.
Audrey's 20th-century popularity was largely shaped by Audrey Hepburn, whose iconic elegance defined the name for generations. After declining through the 1980s-90s, Audrey has surged back as one of the most popular vintage revivals of the 2010s-2020s.
Audrey Hepburn elevated the name to a symbol of Old Hollywood grace and humanitarian compassion. Saint Audrey (Æthelthryth) gave her name to the word 'tawdry' — cheap lace sold at St. Audrey's fair — a fascinating etymological legacy. In France, Audrey has been popular since the 1980s.
Historical Record
Audrey first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 194,615 babies have been named Audrey in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Audrey is past its peak , currently ranked #82 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The word 'tawdry' comes from 'Saint Audrey,' derived from cheap lace sold at St. Audrey's fair in medieval England
- Audrey Hepburn was born Audrey Kathleen Ruston in Belgium to a Dutch mother and British-Irish father
- Audrey appears in Shakespeare's As You Like It as a comedic country girl — one of his most relatable characters
Audrey in Other Languages
French
Audrey
German
Audrey
Italian
Audrey
Spanish
Audrey
Japanese
オードリー
Popularity Over Time
#82
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 2013
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Audrey
A
A
Audrey Hepburn
Actor
1929
Academy Award, Emmy, Tony, and Grammy-winning British actress and humanitarian, considered one of the greatest film star...
Academy Award, Emmy, Tony, and Grammy-winning British actress and humanitarian, considered one of the greatest film stars of all time
A
Audrey Meadows
Entertainer
1922
American actress known for playing Alice Kramden in The Honeymooners
A
Audrey (As You Like It) Fictional
Other
A charming country girl in Shakespeare's comedy As You Like It, courted by the jester Touchstone
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Compare Audrey with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #82
- Total SSA Count
- 2,993
- Cultural Origins
- English French American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Audie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Audrey
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Audrey is also used as a boy name, ranked #19892.
View Audrey as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Audrey
What does the name Audrey mean?
"noble strength" (from Old English (Aethelthryth)). "noble power" (from Old English (aethel + thryth)). "noble strength" (from Old English). "noble and powerful" (from Old English æthel + thryth). Audrey is the modern English form of the Old English name Æthelthryth, meaning 'noble strength' (from 'æthel' meaning noble and 'thryth' meaning strength). Saint Æthelthryth, a 7th-century English queen who founded a monastery at Ely, was so beloved that her nickname Audrey became a common name. By the 16th century Shakespeare used 'Audrey' as a common rural name in As You Like It.
What is the origin of the name Audrey?
Audrey has Old English (Aethelthryth), Old English (aethel + thryth), Old English, Old English æthel + thryth, English, French, and American origins. In Old English (Aethelthryth), it means "noble strength". In Old English (aethel + thryth), it means "noble power". In Old English, it means "noble strength". In Old English æthel + thryth, it means "noble and powerful".
Is Audrey a boy or girl name?
Audrey is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #82. As a boy name, it is ranked #19892. Audrey is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Audrey?
Audrey is pronounced AWDR-ee.
How popular is the name Audrey?
Audrey is currently ranked #82 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Audrey?
Common nicknames for Audrey include Audie.
What are good middle names for Audrey?
Popular middle name pairings include Audrey Rose, Audrey Grace, Audrey Claire, Audrey Mae, Audrey Elise, Audrey Noelle, and Audrey Renee.
What are good sibling names for Audrey?
Names that pair well with Audrey as siblings include Violet, Cecily, Eleanor, Harriet, Felix, Oscar, and Hugo.
How many syllables does Audrey have?
Audrey has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Audrey a common or rare name?
Audrey is a very popular name, ranked #82 among girl names in the United States.
What girl names are similar to Audrey?
About the Name Audrey
Audrey is a girl name with English, French, and American origins . The name means "noble strength" in Old English (Aethelthryth) .
Is Audrey a boy or girl name? Audrey is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #82 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,892. Audrey is more commonly used as a girl name.
Audrey is currently ranked #82 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Audrey has 2 syllables and is pronounced AWDR-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Audrey include Audie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Audrey include Audra, Audrina, Audriana, Audrianna, Audree . 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