From Greek Andreas meaning 'manly, brave'; one of the twelve apostles and patron saint of Scotland.
Andrew comes from the Greek Andreas, derived from aner, meaning "man" or more broadly "warrior" and "strong one." It entered the English-speaking world through the New Testament: Saint Andrew, one of Jesus's first-called apostles, became one of the most influential name bearers in Christian tradition. His cult spread widely across Europe in the Middle Ages, and he became the patron saint of Scotland, Greece, and several other places, helping the name travel far beyond its Greek origins.
In many languages it developed local forms, including Andre, Anders, Andres, Andrei, and Andrea, yet Andrew retained a particularly steady place in English. Historically, Andrew has projected reliability more than flash. It has been borne by kings, saints, soldiers, and statesmen, but also by so many ordinary men that it never feels aristocratic or remote.
In English literature and public life, it often appears as a name of trustworthiness and grounded character. In the United States and Britain, Andrew rose strongly in the twentieth century, reaching a familiar peak in the 1970s and 1980s before softening slightly as shorter or more novel names gained ground. Its endurance comes from its balance: biblical but not heavily solemn, classic but not stiff.
Over time Andrew has evolved from a distinctly religious inheritance into a broadly international staple, carrying associations of steadiness, intelligence, and quiet strength. Even its common nickname, Andy, gives it emotional range, allowing the name to move easily from formal adulthood to friendly warmth.