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Drew

♂ Boy

Pronounced DROO /druː/High

Meaning: Short form of Andrew, from Greek Andreas, derived from aner/andros meaning 'man' or 'manly'; used in Scotland as a short form of Andrew and now stands independently as a given nameHigh

In 30 seconds: Drew is a crisp Scottish short form of Andrew meaning 'manly and strong.' One syllable, clean as a whistle, and equally at home on boys and girls — a modern classic of quiet confidence.
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Origin HighScottish, Welsh
MeaningShort form of Andrew, from Greek Andreas, derived from aner/andros meaning 'man' or 'manly'; used in Scotland as a short form of Andrew and now stands independently as a given name
U.S. rank (2025)#553 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births541 boys (0.03% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1985
Total births (all-time)≈ 78,586

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198518802025

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

History & Origin

Drew is a Scottish short form of Andrew, itself from Greek Andreas, derived from anēr/andros meaning 'man' or 'manly.' Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, giving Drew deep Scottish cultural roots. The name transitioned from a nickname to a standalone given name in the 20th century, popular on both sides of the Atlantic.

Drew rose as an independent name in the United States through the 1970s and 1980s, used for boys and increasingly for girls as well. It is genuinely unisex in modern American usage. Among its most prominent bearers are actress Drew Barrymore, whose use of the name for a girl helped cement its gender-fluid status. It currently ranks in the top 300 for boys.

Did you know? Drew Carey, Drew Barrymore, and Drew Brees all share this name — covering comedy, film, and the NFL — making Drew one of the most cross-industry recognizable names of the late 20th century.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name — Drew — etymology and usageU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

Andrew

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Drew Barrymore (1975–present)
    American actress, film producer, and talk-show host; her use of Drew helped establish the name for girls.
  • ★Drew Brees (1979–present)
    American NFL quarterback and Super Bowl champion who retired as the NFL's all-time leader in career passing yards.

If you like Drew…

Blake— shares the one-syllable punch and the same clean, confident unisex appeal
Chase— one-syllable surname-name with the same understated American cool
Cole— fellow one-syllable classic boys' name with the same no-fuss, strong simplicity
Bryce— single-syllable Scottish-origin boys' name with the same crisp, clean character

Frequently Asked

What does the name Drew mean?

Drew is a Scottish short form of Andrew, from Greek Andreas meaning 'manly' or 'strong.' It carries the same meaning of masculine strength as its longer parent name.

How do you pronounce Drew?

It is said DROO — one syllable.

Is Drew a boy or girl name?

Drew is genuinely unisex. It is used for both boys and girls in the United States, with Drew Barrymore helping establish its feminine use.

How popular is Drew?

Drew ranks in the U.S. top 300 for boys and is also used for girls, maintaining steady popularity as a clean, confident one-syllable name.