"strong, manly, brave"
Origin: Greek via English
Language: English
Drew
Pronunciation: [ dr-OO ]
Does Drew flow with your last name?
One syllable of effortless cool
American
English
Australian
Strong
Modern
Minimalist
Bold
Playful
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"wise"
Origin: Welsh
Language: Welsh
Browse names with similar meanings:
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The Story of Drew
Drew as a given name began as a short form of Andrew, which derives from the Greek 'Andreas,' related to 'aner' meaning 'man' in the sense of strong, brave, or warrior-like. As a standalone name, Drew first gained feminine appeal through actress Drew Barrymore, who was named not after Andrew but after her grandfather's Blythe family name. The name transitioned smoothly into female use in the 1980s-90s, part of a broader trend toward short, one-syllable gender-neutral names.
Drew's use for girls accelerated dramatically with Drew Barrymore's stardom in the 1990s and 2000s. Her distinctive, tomboy femininity perfectly embodied what the name came to represent — strength with playful charm and effortless cool.
Drew Barrymore has made this name synonymous with a particular kind of American femininity — spirited, resilient, and warm. In the US, Drew carries a cool, effortless vibe that works equally well from childhood to adulthood.
Historical Record
Drew first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 9,012 babies have been named Drew in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Drew is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #695 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Drew Barrymore was named after her grandfather John Drew Barrymore — Drew was a family surname, not short for Andrew
- Andrew means 'manly, strong' from the Greek 'aner,' making Drew a bold choice for girls
- Drew is among the shortest mainstream girl names at just one syllable
Drew in Other Languages
French
Drew
German
Drew
Italian
Drew
Spanish
Drew
Popularity Over Time
#695
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Drew
D
Drew Brees
Athlete
1979
NFL quarterback and Super Bowl XLIV champion who set numerous NFL passing records with the New Orleans Saints
D
Drew Barrymore
Actor
1975
American actress, producer, and talk show host known for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Charlie's Angels
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #695
- Total SSA Count
- 404
- Cultural Origins
- American English Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Drew
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Drew is also used as a boy name, ranked #543.
View Drew as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Drew →Compare Drew with...
Same Origin Names (American)
See all American names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Drew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Drew
What does the name Drew mean?
"strong, manly, brave" (from Greek via English). "wise" (from Welsh). Drew as a given name began as a short form of Andrew, which derives from the Greek 'Andreas,' related to 'aner' meaning 'man' in the sense of strong, brave, or warrior-like. As a standalone name, Drew first gained feminine appeal through actress Drew Barrymore, who was named not after Andrew but after her grandfather's Blythe family name. The name transitioned smoothly into female use in the 1980s-90s, part of a broader trend toward short, one-syllable gender-neutral names.
What is the origin of the name Drew?
Drew has Greek via English, Welsh, American, English, and Australian origins. In Greek via English, it means "strong, manly, brave". In Welsh, it means "wise".
Is Drew a boy or girl name?
Drew is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #695. As a boy name, it is ranked #543. Drew is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Drew?
Drew is pronounced dr-OO.
How popular is the name Drew?
Drew is currently ranked #695 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Drew?
Popular middle name pairings include Drew Elizabeth, Drew Michelle, Drew Renee, Drew Lynn, Drew Marie, Drew Taylor, and Drew Alexis.
What are good sibling names for Drew?
Names that pair well with Drew as siblings include Blake, Chase, Harper, Quinn, Reese, Spencer, and Taylor.
How many syllables does Drew have?
Drew has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Drew a common or rare name?
Drew is moderately common, ranked #695 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Drew?
About the Name Drew
Drew is a girl name with American, English, and Australian origins . The name means "strong, manly, brave" in Greek via English .
Is Drew a boy or girl name? Drew is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #695 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #543. Drew is more commonly used as a boy name.
Drew is currently ranked #695 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Drew has 1 syllable and is pronounced dr-OO, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Drew include Dream, Drea . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis