"manly, strong, courageous"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Drew
Pronunciation: [ dr-OO ]
Does Drew flow with your last name?
A sleek one-syllable shortform of Andrew
English
American
Scottish
Modern
Strong
Minimalist
Bold
Playful
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"warrior, man"
Origin: Old Greek
Language: Greek
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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.
Historical Record
Drew first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 75,929 babies have been named Drew in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Drew is past its peak , currently ranked #543 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#543
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1985
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Drew
D
Drew Brees
Athlete
1979
American NFL quarterback, Super Bowl champion with the New Orleans Saints, and NFL all-time passing yards leader
D
Drew Carey
Entertainer
1958
American comedian and game show host of The Price Is Right
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See all →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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Drew
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Drew is also used as a girl name, ranked #695.
View Drew as a girl name →Similar Names
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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.
What boy names are similar to Drew?
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.
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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