Andy

♂ Boy

Pronounced AN-dee /ˈæn.di/High

Meaning: Manly; warrior — a short form of Andrew, from the Greek Andreas meaning 'manly' or 'of a man'High

In 30 seconds: A cheerful, approachable nickname-turned-given-name, Andy is the friendly short form of Andrew meaning 'manly,' beloved for its warmth and timeless ease.

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Origin HighGreek

MeaningManly; warrior — a short form of Andrew, from the Greek Andreas meaning 'manly' or 'of a man'

U.S. rank (2025)#565 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births524 boys (0.03% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2005

Total births (all-time)≈ 94,168

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Andy is the familiar English short form of Andrew, which derives from the Greek Andreas, meaning 'manly' or 'of a man.' Andrew was one of the twelve apostles and the patron saint of Scotland, Russia, and Greece, giving the name enormous cultural reach. Andy began appearing as a stand-alone given name in the 19th century.

By the 20th century Andy had established itself as an independent given name in the United States, appreciated for its friendly informality. It crossed gender boundaries slightly, appearing on girls' as well as boys' birth certificates, though it remains predominantly male. Cultural figures from Andy Griffith to Andy Warhol cemented its all-American character.

Did you know? Andy Warhol was born Andrew Warhola, but his nickname Andy became so iconic that it is now inseparable from 20th-century pop art itself.

Overall data confidence 95%

Behind the Name — Andy — etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AndrewAndreasAndréAnders

Nicknames

And

Famous Bearers

★Andy Warhol (1928–1987)
American artist and leading figure of the pop art movement, known for works featuring Campbell's Soup Cans and Marilyn Monroe.
★Andy Griffith (1926–2012)
American actor and comedian, star of The Andy Griffith Show (1960–1968).

If you like Andy…

Andrew— the full form of the same name, sharing identical Greek roots

Alex— another friendly Greek short form widely used as a standalone name

Brady— shares the same casual, sporty two-syllable energy

Cody— fellow informal two-syllable name popular in mid-20th-century America

Frequently Asked

What does the name Andy mean?

Andy means 'manly' or 'warrior,' as a short form of Andrew from the Greek Andreas.

How do you pronounce Andy?

Andy is said AN-dee — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Andy a nickname or a real name?

Andy began as a nickname for Andrew but has long been used as an independent given name.

Is Andy a boy or girl name?

Andy is predominantly a boys' name but occasionally appears for girls as well.