Noah Boy
NOH-uh
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#2
Drew
UnisexEnglish, Greek· “short for Andrew, manly”
- Meaning
- short for Andrew, manly
- Origin
- English, Greek
- Pronunciation
- DROO
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #553
- US babies 2025
- 541
- Best rank
- #126 (1985)
- Peak year
- 1985
Meaning and origin of Drew
Drew is an English and Greek name that means “short for Andrew, manly”.
Drew began as a short form of Andrew, from the Greek andreios, meaning "manly" or "courageous." It has also existed as an English surname, partly from the Norman name Drogo, whose meaning is uncertain. As an independent first name Drew spread in the United States during the twentieth century and is now used for both boys and girls. The actress Drew Barrymore made it familiar for girls, while many athletes and public figures have carried it as a boys' name. It is short, friendly and easy to spell, and it pairs well with longer middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Dru.
Popularity over time
Drew 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 100 different years. Its best national rank was #126 in 1985, the same year it reached its highest count of 2,276 babies. In 2025, 541 babies were named Drew, and it ranked #553 nationally. That is 40% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,431 in 1920, #472 in 1950, #288 in 1980, #188 in 2000, #247 in 2010, and #553 in 2025. Of the 78,592 US boys named Drew since records began, 25% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 16,710 babies. Since 2010, 13,006 more have been named Drew.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Drew ranked highest in North Dakota, Hawaii, and Louisiana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | #207 | 6 |
| Hawaii | #229 | 5 |
| Louisiana | #233 | 22 |
| Utah | #249 | 21 |
| Massachusetts | #338 | 16 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Drew is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 20% of US babies named Drew were girls and 80% were boys.
Drew is usually pronounced DROO, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with D and ends in “-ew”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Dru.
Middle names for Drew
A few middle names that flow with Drew: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Drew
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Lists that include Drew
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Drew mean?
Drew is an English and Greek name that means “short for Andrew, manly”.
What is the origin of the name Drew?
Drew has English and Greek roots. Drew began as a short form of Andrew, from the Greek andreios, meaning "manly" or "courageous." It has also existed as an English surname, partly from the Norman name Drogo, whose meaning is uncertain.
Is Drew a popular name?
Yes. Drew ranked #553 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Drew a boy or girl name?
Drew is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 20% of US babies named Drew were girls and 80% were boys.
How do you pronounce Drew?
Drew is usually pronounced DROO. 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