Andrew is of Greek origin, meaning "manly" or "strong". It is derived from the Greek name Andreas, which was used by several early Christian saints and martyrs. The name Andrew became popular in England during the Middle Ages due to these saintly figures.
In the New Testament of the Bible, Saint Andrew was one of Jesus Christ's twelve apostles and the brother of Simon Peter. He is considered the patron saint of Scotland and Greece. His feast day is celebrated on November 30th.
The name Andrew has been used by several notable individuals throughout history. For instance, Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, was born with this name. In literature, Andrew Marvell was an English metaphysical poet who lived in the 17th century. The name is also shared by the famous Scottish philosopher and economist Adam Smith.
In popular culture, Andrew has been used as a character's first name in various films, books, and TV shows. Some examples include "The Shawshank Redemption", "Lost", and the Harry Potter series.
Variations of the name Andrew include Andy, Drew, and the diminutive Andyke. Popular middle names that pair well with Andrew include Scott, Thomas, and James. The feminine form of the name is Andrea.
Andrew's popularity has fluctuated over time. In the United States, it was particularly popular in the late 19th to mid-20th century, reaching its peak in the 1940s and 1950s. Currently, it remains a commonly used name but has somewhat declined in recent years.
Overall, Andrew is a timeless name with strong historical roots that continues to be favored by many parents today. Its meaning and origin make it a powerful choice for a child's first name.
"Andrew's popularity as a baby name peaked in the late 1950s to early 1960s with six births each year in 1957 and 1962. It then declined until the mid-1980s, when it briefly regained some traction with five births per year from 1982 to 1989, inclusive."