French form of Andreas, from Greek 'andreios' meaning 'manly' or 'brave'.
Andre is the French and broader European form of Andrew, a name derived from the Greek Andreas, itself built on aner or andros, meaning "man" or "warrior." In the ancient world, the name suggested manliness, courage, and strength, and it spread widely through Christianity because Saint Andrew was one of the first apostles of Jesus. As the cult of Saint Andrew expanded across Europe, the name took root in many languages: Andrew in English, Andreas in German and Greek, Andrés in Spanish, Andrei in Slavic languages, and Andre in French and Portuguese usage.
That wide linguistic journey gave Andre a cosmopolitan quality. It has been borne by artists, athletes, politicians, and musicians, from the French writer André Gide to the giant of the tennis world Andre Agassi. Even where the accent is dropped in English, the name often keeps a continental elegance.
In literature and film, variants of the name have often marked characters as sophisticated, romantic, or intellectually serious, especially when the French form is preserved. Over time, Andre has shifted in tone depending on place. In French it feels classic and well established; in English-speaking contexts it can sound sleek, urbane, and slightly international.
It enjoyed particular popularity in the late 20th century in the United States, where it balanced strength with style. Because it comes from such an ancient root, it carries the same core meaning as Andrew, but its sound changes the atmosphere entirely. Andre is less rugged than Andrew, more tailored than blunt, a name that turns an apostolic classic into something refined, mobile, and culturally expansive.