Aubrey is a given name of English origin that has gained popularity in recent years. The name is derived from the Germanic elements "álr" meaning "all," and "beorht" meaning "bright." Therefore, Aubrey translates to "noble and bright." Despite its feminine sound, Aubrey was originally used as a boy's name due to its association with Old French variants like Albéric.
The use of Aubrey as a given name can be traced back to the Middle Ages in England. It was typically bestowed upon boys during this period and was often found among the Norman nobility. Some notable historical figures bearing this name include Sir Aubrey de Vere, who served as Chamberlain to King Henry III, and Aubrey Beardsley, an English illustrator known for his distinctive black-and-white drawings.
In modern times, Aubrey has become increasingly popular as a girl's name due to its appealing sound and the growing trend of unisex names. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, Aubrey first appeared in the top 1000 names for girls in 1987 and has since risen steadily in popularity. It reached its peak position at number 245 in 2009 before declining slightly but remaining popular nonetheless.
Overall, Aubrey is an attractive and distinctive name with a rich history that spans centuries and transcends gender boundaries. Its meaning, "noble and bright," makes it an appealing choice for parents looking for a strong yet elegant name for their child.
The name Aubrey experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century and a half. With only 21 births recorded in 1880, it was quite rare at the time. However, by the early 1900s, its usage began to increase steadily, reaching a peak of 478 births in 1920. This popularity persisted through the mid-1930s, after which Aubrey's usage started to decline gradually.
Interestingly, there were two notable spikes in popularity for the name Aubrey: one in the early 1900s and another around the late 1940s to early 1950s. Despite these fluctuations, Aubrey remained relatively uncommon throughout most of the twentieth century, with fewer than 300 births per year from 1965 onwards.
In recent years, Aubrey has seen a resurgence in popularity, particularly since around 2017. The name reached its highest point in the twenty-first century with 157 births recorded in 2021. Overall, there have been a total of 30,924 births named Aubrey between 1880 and 2023.