Drew

♀ Girl

Pronounced DROO /druː/High

Meaning: Short form of Andrew, from Old Welsh Dryw meaning 'vision' or 'wise man'; or a diminutive of the Greek Andreas meaning 'manly, strong'; used as a standalone name for girls since the late 20th centuryMedium

In 30 seconds: Cool and completely effortless, Drew is a one-syllable unisex name that has become a sleek choice for girls. Made famous for girls by Drew Barrymore, it has a sharp, confident energy that needs no explanation.

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Origin HighOld Welsh, Old English

MeaningShort form of Andrew, from Old Welsh Dryw meaning 'vision' or 'wise man'; or a diminutive of the Greek Andreas meaning 'manly, strong'; used as a standalone name for girls since the late 20th century

U.S. rank (2025)#706 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births399 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 9,492

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Drew is primarily a short form of Andrew, the English form of the Greek Andreas, meaning 'manly' or 'strong.' In Welsh, Dryw means 'vision' or a wren bird. As a standalone given name, Drew was used for boys through most of the 20th century before beginning to cross over for girls.

Drew became associated with girls primarily through actress Drew Barrymore, born in 1975. Her success in the 1980s and beyond normalized the name for girls in the United States. It now ranks as a genuinely unisex name, used for both sexes with the girl usage particularly strong.

Did you know? Drew Barrymore's prominence has made Drew one of the more accepted unisex crossovers for girls — her parents reportedly chose it because her father John Drew Barrymore passed down the Drew family surname, making it a case where a girl inherited a male family name that then normalized broader female use.

Overall data confidence 85%

Behind the Name — Drew — etymology and usageU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AndrewAndrea

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

★Drew Barrymore (1975–present)
American actress and talk show host who popularized the name for girls.

If you like Drew…

Blake— shares the crisp one-syllable unisex crossover from male to female usage

Quinn— fellow clean one-syllable unisex name trending strongly for girls

Reese— parallel one-syllable name made famous for girls by a celebrity bearer

Lane— similar short, clean unisex surname-feel name with effortless modern appeal

Frequently Asked

What does the name Drew mean for a girl?

Drew means 'manly' or 'strong' as a short form of Andrew, from Greek Andreas. As a girls name it carries a cool, confident unisex energy.

How do you pronounce Drew?

Drew is pronounced DROO /druː/ — one syllable.

Is Drew a popular girls name?

Drew has been used for girls increasingly since the 1990s, largely inspired by actress Drew Barrymore, and is considered a modern unisex choice.

Is Drew traditionally a boys name?

Yes, Drew originated as a masculine short form of Andrew but has been used for girls in the United States since the late 20th century.