Andy

BoyEnglish, Greek· “short for Andrew, manly”

Meaning
short for Andrew, manly
Origin
English, Greek
Pronunciation
AN-dee
Syllables
2
US rank 2025
#565
US babies 2025
524
Best rank
#193 (1881)
Peak year
2005

Meaning and origin of Andy

Andy is an English and Greek name that means “short for Andrew, manly”.

Andy is a familiar short form of Andrew, which comes from the Greek andreios, meaning "manly" or "courageous." Saint Andrew, the apostle and patron saint of Scotland, made Andrew one of the most widespread Christian names, and Andy has been used as its friendly everyday version for centuries. It can also shorten Anderson, and occasionally Andrea for girls. As an independent first name Andy has an easygoing, cheerful quality. Famous bearers include the artist Andy Warhol, and the name remains approachable and uncomplicated.

Other spellings with the same sound: Andi, Andie.

Popularity over time

06251.2k1.9k2.5k18801900192019401960198020002020Peak 2005: 1,936
US babies named Andy per year, 1880 to 2025

Andy has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #193 in 1881, and the most babies received it in 2005, when 1,936 were named Andy. In 2025, 524 babies were named Andy, and it ranked #565 nationally. That is 51% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.

Its national rank moved from #327 in 1920, #337 in 1950, #238 in 1980, #208 in 2000, #235 in 2010, and #565 in 2025. Of the 94,185 US boys named Andy since records began, 19% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 12,294 babies. Since 2010, 15,062 more have been named Andy.

Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Marco, Rafael, Ty, Edgar, and Hector.

Where it is most popular (2025)

In 2025, Andy ranked highest in New Mexico, Kentucky, and California.

StateRank thereBabies
New Mexico#3136
Kentucky#34714
California#37890
Pennsylvania#38827
Oklahoma#39711

Gender, sound and spelling

About 98% of US babies named Andy over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.

Andy is usually pronounced AN-dee, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with A and ends in “-dy”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Andi and Andie.

Middle names for Andy

A few middle names that flow with Andy: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.

Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
James Boy
JAYMZ
“holder of the heel, supplanter” · English
#6
John Boy
JAHN
“Yahweh is gracious” · Hebrew
#23
Leo Boy
LEE-oh
“lion” · Latin
#19
Rowan Unisex
ROH-uhn
“little red one; rowan tree” · Irish
#59

Sibling names for Andy

Similar names

Cody Boy
KOH-dee
“from an Irish surname” · Irish
#318
Alex Boy
AL-iks
“defender of men” · Greek
#232
Collin Boy
KAH-lin
“victory of the people (via Nicholas)” · English
#493
Lyric Unisex
LEER-ihk
“of the lyre; song words” · English
#640
Jayson Boy
JAY-suhn
“variant of Jason, 'healer'” · Greek
#700
Ocean Unisex
OH-shuhn
“ocean, the sea” · English
#720
Teddy Boy
TED-ee
“short for Theodore or Edward” · English
#823
Brody Boy
BROH-dee
“from a Scottish and Irish surname” · Scottish
#236
Steven Boy
STEE-vuhn
“crown, garland” · Greek
#271
Brady Boy
BRAY-dee
“uncertain; from an Irish surname” · Irish
#321
Peter Boy
PEE-tur
“stone” · Greek
#187
Grady Boy
GRAY-dee
“noble, illustrious” · Irish
#373

Lists that include Andy

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Andy mean?

Andy is an English and Greek name that means “short for Andrew, manly”.

What is the origin of the name Andy?

Andy has English and Greek roots. Andy is a familiar short form of Andrew, which comes from the Greek andreios, meaning "manly" or "courageous." Saint Andrew, the apostle and patron saint of Scotland, made Andrew one of the most widespread Christian names, and Andy has been used as its friendly everyday version for centuries.

Is Andy a popular name?

Yes. Andy ranked #565 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.

Is Andy a boy or girl name?

Andy is mainly a boy's name. About 98% of US babies named Andy over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.

How do you pronounce Andy?

Andy is usually pronounced AN-dee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.

Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings