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Home › Baby Names Directory › Ander

Ander

♂ Boy

Pronounced AN-der /ˈæn.dər/High

Meaning: Basque form of Andrew, from the Greek Andreas (Ἀνδρέας), meaning 'manly' or 'strong'; from the Greek aner/andros meaning 'man'; also used as a Scandinavian short form of AlexanderHigh

In 30 seconds: Ander is the clean Basque form of Andrew, carrying the same 'strong man' meaning with a fresher, more distinctive sound. Modern and minimalist, it also works as a short form of Alexander and has a quiet Nordic-Basque cool.
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Origin HighBasque, Greek
MeaningBasque form of Andrew, from the Greek Andreas (Ἀνδρέας), meaning 'manly' or 'strong'; from the Greek aner/andros meaning 'man'; also used as a Scandinavian short form of Alexander
U.S. rank (2025)#728 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births365 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,547

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202319082025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Ander is the Basque equivalent of the Greek-origin Andrew. The Basque Country spans the border region of Spain and France, and Basque names have a distinctive character compared to their Spanish and French neighbors. Ander has also been used in Scandinavian countries as a short form of Alexander.

Ander has been gaining attention in the United States as a sleek, distinctive alternative to Andrew. It sits in the space between Andrew and Anders, offering the familiarity of the -ander sound with genuine rarity. Its cross-cultural Basque and Nordic appeal makes it versatile.

Did you know? The Basque language (Euskara) is Europe's only known language isolate — it has no known relatives, predating even the Indo-European languages. Basque names like Ander, Unai, and Aitor thus carry a linguistic uniqueness: they come from a language tradition that has survived in the Pyrenees for thousands of years.
Overall data confidence 85%
Behind the Name — Ander — etymology and Basque originU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AndersAndrewAndre

Nicknames

AndyAnde

Famous Bearers

  • ★Ander Herrera (1989-)
    Spanish footballer who played for Manchester United and Spain

If you like Ander…

Anders— the Scandinavian form of the same Andrew root, nearly identical in sound
Andre— the French/Portuguese form of Andrew sharing the same Greek root
Eider— a fellow Basque choice
Eyder— another Basque name
Iker— echoes that soft -er sound

Explore names like Ander

By themegreekrarebasquedistinctiveminimalist
By meaningStrength

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ander mean?

Ander means 'manly' or 'strong,' as the Basque form of Andrew, from Greek Andreas (man, strength).

How do you pronounce Ander?

Ander is pronounced AN-der /ˈæn.dər/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Where does the name Ander come from?

Ander is the Basque (Euskara) form of Andrew. The Basque Country is a unique cultural region in Spain and France with its own ancient language.

Is Ander a rare name?

Yes, Ander is quite rare in the United States, making it a distinctive choice with familiar sounds but a genuinely uncommon identity.

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