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Aubrey

♀ Girl

Pronounced AW-bree /ˈɔː.bri/High

Meaning: Elf ruler; supernatural power — from Old High German Alberich, from alb (elf) + ric (ruler, power)High

In 30 seconds: An Old High German name meaning 'elf ruler,' Aubrey was historically a men's name (borne by Oberon of fairy legend) before crossing to girls in modern America, now a top-100 choice.

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Origin HighOld High German, Old French

MeaningElf ruler; supernatural power — from Old High German Alberich, from alb (elf) + ric (ruler, power)

U.S. rank (2025)#146 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births2,003 girls (0.12% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2012

Total births (all-time)≈ 133,482

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Aubrey is the Norman French form of the Old High German Alberich, composed of alb (elf) and ric (power, ruler). The mythological fairy king Alberich appears in the Nibelungenlied; Oberon in Shakespeare.

Historically a male name in England, Aubrey crossed to girls in the late 20th century in the United States and is now used almost exclusively as a girls' name, consistently in the top 100.

Did you know? Oberon, the King of the Fairies in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, bears a name derived from Auberon — the same root as Aubrey.

Variations

AubreeAubrieOberon

Nicknames

AubBree

Famous Bearers

★Aubrey Plaza (1984-)
American actress and comedian
★Aubrey Drake Graham (1986-)
Canadian rapper known mononymously as Drake
★Aubrey Beardsley (1872-1898)
English illustrator and author

If you like Aubrey…

Audrey— Old English two-syllable classic with the same feminine vintage revival

Emery— Germanic surname name with the same unisex crossover trajectory

Bailey— a similarly popular pick

Lainey— shares Aubrey's Old French roots

Journey— another Old French name

Explore names like Aubrey

By meaningStrength Royal / Noble

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Aubrey mean?

Aubrey comes from the Old High German Alberich, meaning 'elf ruler,' from alb (elf) and ric (power, ruler).

How do you pronounce Aubrey?

It is said AW-bree /ˈɔː.bri/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Aubrey a boy or girl name?

Aubrey was historically a male name but is now used predominantly as a girl's name in the United States.

How popular is Aubrey?

Aubrey has been a consistent U.S. top-100 girls' name since the 2000s.