Drew

Pronunciation: [ dr-OO ]

Girl Name #695 Most Popular Steady 1 Syllable

One syllable of effortless cool

American English Australian

Strong Modern Minimalist Bold Playful

Meaning & Origin

"strong, manly, brave"

Origin: Greek via English

Language: English

"wise"

Origin: Welsh

Language: Welsh

The Story of Drew

Drew as a given name began as a short form of Andrew, which derives from the Greek 'Andreas,' related to 'aner' meaning 'man' in the sense of strong, brave, or warrior-like. As a standalone name, Drew first gained feminine appeal through actress Drew Barrymore, who was named not after Andrew but after her grandfather's Blythe family name. The name transitioned smoothly into female use in the 1980s-90s, part of a broader trend toward short, one-syllable gender-neutral names.

Drew's use for girls accelerated dramatically with Drew Barrymore's stardom in the 1990s and 2000s. Her distinctive, tomboy femininity perfectly embodied what the name came to represent — strength with playful charm and effortless cool.

Drew Barrymore has made this name synonymous with a particular kind of American femininity — spirited, resilient, and warm. In the US, Drew carries a cool, effortless vibe that works equally well from childhood to adulthood.

Fun Facts

Drew Barrymore was named after her grandfather John Drew Barrymore — Drew was a family surname, not short for Andrew
Andrew means 'manly, strong' from the Greek 'aner,' making Drew a bold choice for girls
Drew is among the shortest mainstream girl names at just one syllable

Drew in Other Languages

French Drew

German Drew

Italian Drew

Spanish Drew

Famous People Named Drew

Drew Brees

Athlete

1979

NFL quarterback and Super Bowl XLIV champion who set numerous NFL passing records with the New Orleans Saints

Drew Barrymore

Actor

1975

American actress, producer, and talk show host known for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Charlie's Angels

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 1
Popularity Rank: #695
Total SSA Count: 404
Cultural Origins: American English Australian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Dream #368 Drea #4458

Pairs Well With

Drew Elizabeth Drew Michelle Drew Renee Drew Lynn Drew Marie Drew Taylor Drew Alexis

Sibling Names

Blake Chase Harper Quinn Reese Spencer Taylor

Also a Boy Name

Drew is also used as a boy name, ranked #543.

View Drew as a boy name →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Drew

What does the name Drew mean?

"strong, manly, brave" (from Greek via English). "wise" (from Welsh). Drew as a given name began as a short form of Andrew, which derives from the Greek 'Andreas,' related to 'aner' meaning 'man' in the sense of strong, brave, or warrior-like. As a standalone name, Drew first gained feminine appeal through actress Drew Barrymore, who was named not after Andrew but after her grandfather's Blythe family name. The name transitioned smoothly into female use in the 1980s-90s, part of a broader trend toward short, one-syllable gender-neutral names.

What is the origin of the name Drew?

Drew has Greek via English, Welsh, American, English, and Australian origins. In Greek via English, it means "strong, manly, brave". In Welsh, it means "wise".

Is Drew a boy or girl name?

Drew is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #695. As a boy name, it is ranked #543. 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 #695 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are good middle names for Drew?

Popular middle name pairings include Drew Elizabeth, Drew Michelle, Drew Renee, Drew Lynn, Drew Marie, Drew Taylor, and Drew Alexis.

What are good sibling names for Drew?

Names that pair well with Drew as siblings include Blake, Chase, Harper, Quinn, Reese, Spencer, and Taylor.

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 #695 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Drew

Drew is a girl name with American, English, and Australian origins . The name means "strong, manly, brave" in Greek via English .

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

Drew is currently ranked #695 in popularity for girl 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, Drea . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.