Andi

♀ Girl

Pronounced AN-dee /ˈæn.di/High

Meaning: Feminine short form of Andrea or Andreas, from the Greek andreios (ἀνδρεῖος), meaning 'manly,' 'brave,' or 'defender of mankind.' As a female name, it is reinterpreted as a spirited, independent diminutive.High

In 30 seconds: Andi is a lively, gender-bending short form of Andrea with Greek roots meaning 'brave.' It has a plucky, tomboyish charm that has made it an enduring girls' name since the mid-20th century.

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Origin HighGreek

MeaningFeminine short form of Andrea or Andreas, from the Greek andreios (ἀνδρεῖος), meaning 'manly,' 'brave,' or 'defender of mankind.' As a female name, it is reinterpreted as a spirited, independent diminutive.

U.S. rank (2025)#632 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births459 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 7,264

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Andi is a diminutive of Andrea, the feminine form of Andrew, which traces back to the Greek Andreas derived from anēr ('man') and andreios ('brave,' 'manly'). The name has been adapted across Europe; Andrea is feminine in English but masculine in Italian.

As a standalone name, Andi gained ground in the United States from the 1960s onward, benefiting from the trend for tomboyish names. The spelling with a final i gives it a modern, casual feel distinct from Andy. It remains popular as both a nickname and a full name.

Did you know? The character Andi from the beloved book and film Pretty in Pink (1986) — Andie Walsh, played by Molly Ringwald — helped cement this spelling as a symbol of independent, creative girlhood for an entire generation.

Overall data confidence 87%

Behind the Name — Andi — etymology and variantsU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AndyAndieAndrea

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Andi…

Rylee— shares the casual, sporty, two-syllable quality popular for modern girls

Brynlee— fellow breezy name with a tomboy-chic energy

Emmy— similarly friendly diminutive that stands alone as a full given name

Lexi— another short, bright Greek-rooted nickname used as a full name

Frequently Asked

What does the name Andi mean?

Andi is a short form of Andrea, from Greek meaning 'brave' or 'defender of mankind.' It carries an independent, spirited character.

How do you pronounce Andi?

Andi is pronounced AN-dee /ˈæn.di/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Andi a boy or girl name?

Andi (with an 'i') is predominantly a girls' name in the U.S., while Andy (with a 'y') is more commonly masculine.

How popular is Andi?

Andi has appeared in the U.S. top 1000 for girls since the mid-20th century and remains a popular choice, particularly as a standalone name.