Drew

Pronunciation: [ dr-OO ]

Boy Name #543 Most Popular Steady 1 Syllable

A sleek one-syllable shortform of Andrew

English American Scottish

Modern Strong Minimalist Bold Playful

Meaning & Origin

"manly, strong, courageous"

Origin: Greek

Language: Greek

"warrior, man"

Origin: Old Greek

Language: Greek

The Story of Drew

Drew is a short form of Andrew, from the Greek 'Andreas', meaning 'manly' or 'strong' — derived from 'aner/andros' meaning 'man'. Andrew was one of Jesus's twelve apostles and the patron saint of Scotland, Russia, Greece, and Romania. Drew emerged as an independent name in the 20th century, particularly in the United States, where it functions as a sleek, modern alternative to the more formal Andrew.

Drew has been a consistently popular name in the United States since the 1980s, appealing to parents who want a strong, one-syllable name. It gained cultural familiarity through athletes, actors, and the unisex appeal that makes it work for both boys and girls.

As a derivative of Andrew, the name carries the legacy of Saint Andrew, whose X-shaped cross (the Saltire) forms the flag of Scotland. Drew carries this heritage in a more casual, American-friendly package. The name has been particularly popular in sports and entertainment.

Fun Facts

Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, Russia, Greece, Romania, and Ukraine
The Scottish flag (Saltire) depicts the X-shaped cross on which Saint Andrew was crucified
Drew Barrymore has made the name equally common for girls in American culture

Drew in Other Languages

Greek Ανδρέας

French André

Italian Andrea

Russian Андрей

Spanish Andrés

Scottish Anndra

Famous People Named Drew

Drew Brees

Athlete

1979

American NFL quarterback, Super Bowl champion with the New Orleans Saints, and NFL all-time passing yards leader

Drew Carey

Entertainer

1958

American comedian and game show host of The Price Is Right

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 1
Popularity Rank: #543
Total SSA Count: 550
Cultural Origins: English American Scottish
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Dream #2236 Dre #4299 Dreux #4435 Dresden #4564

Pairs Well With

Drew James Drew Thomas Drew Michael Drew Alexander Drew William Drew Ryan

Sibling Names

Cole Blake Chase Brooke Lane Reese

Also a Girl Name

Drew is also used as a girl name, ranked #695.

View Drew as a girl name →

Similar Names

Andrew Bruce Andres Lou Troy Andre True Drue

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Frequently Asked Questions About Drew

What does the name Drew mean?

"manly, strong, courageous" (from Greek). "warrior, man" (from Old Greek). Drew is a short form of Andrew, from the Greek 'Andreas', meaning 'manly' or 'strong' — derived from 'aner/andros' meaning 'man'. Andrew was one of Jesus's twelve apostles and the patron saint of Scotland, Russia, Greece, and Romania. Drew emerged as an independent name in the 20th century, particularly in the United States, where it functions as a sleek, modern alternative to the more formal Andrew.

What is the origin of the name Drew?

Drew has Greek, Old Greek, English, American, and Scottish origins. In Greek, it means "manly, strong, courageous". In Old Greek, it means "warrior, man".

Is Drew a boy or girl name?

Drew is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #543. As a girl name, it is ranked #695. Drew is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Drew?

Drew is pronounced dr-OO.

How popular is the name Drew?

Drew is currently ranked #543 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are good middle names for Drew?

Popular middle name pairings include Drew James, Drew Thomas, Drew Michael, Drew Alexander, Drew William, and Drew Ryan.

What are good sibling names for Drew?

Names that pair well with Drew as siblings include Cole, Blake, Chase, Brooke, Lane, and Reese.

How many syllables does Drew have?

Drew has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Drew a common or rare name?

Drew is moderately common, ranked #543 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Drew

Drew is a boy name with English, American, and Scottish origins . The name means "manly, strong, courageous" in Greek .

Is Drew a boy or girl name? Drew is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #543 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #695. Drew is more commonly used as a boy name.

Drew is currently ranked #543 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Drew has 1 syllable and is pronounced dr-OO, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Alternative spellings of Drew include Dream, Dre, Dreux, Dresden . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.