Andrei is a Slavic given name of Greek origin, derived from the Greek word "ἀνήρ" (anēr), which means "man". The name Andrei has been widely used throughout Eastern Europe and Russia for centuries.
The name Andrei first appeared in the Byzantine Empire during the Middle Ages. It was originally used by the Byzantine imperial family as a personal name before being adopted by the Slavic peoples. Over time, variations of the name spread throughout Eastern Europe, including Andrei in Russian, Andrzej in Polish, Ondřej in Czech, and András in Hungarian.
In Russia, Andrei has been one of the most popular given names for boys since the Middle Ages. It was especially favored among the Russian nobility and was often bestowed upon heirs to the throne. Some notable figures with the name Andrei include Andrei Rublev, a famous 15th-century icon painter, Andrei Sakharov, a Soviet nuclear physicist and human rights activist, and Andrei Tarkovsky, a renowned film director.
The name Andrei has also been used in other Slavic countries besides Russia. In Poland, for instance, Andrzej Duda is the current President of the Republic of Poland. Meanwhile, in Serbia, Andrei has been traditionally spelled "Andrija," as seen with the 14th-century Serbian prince Stefan Uroš IV Dušan, who was also known as King Andrija.
In modern times, Andrei continues to be a popular given name throughout Eastern Europe and beyond. Its enduring popularity can likely be attributed to its historical significance and cultural relevance in the region, as well as its timeless meaning of "man."
The name Andrei appears to have fluctuating popularity over the years, with a significant increase from the late 1980s onwards. The peak occurred in 2006 with 119 births, while the lowest point was in 1958 with only 5 births. In total, there were 2977 births named Andrei between 1948 and 2023.