Drew is a popular given name that has gained prominence in recent years, especially among English-speaking countries such as the United States and Canada. The name has two primary origins: it can be considered either a unisex name or a variant of Andrew/Drew.
1. Unisex Origin:
Some believe Drew to be a unisex name derived from the Old English element "drūg," meaning "drop" or "dew." This interpretation suggests that Drew could be associated with water, nature, and renewal. However, there is little historical evidence to support this etymology.
2. Andrew/Drew Variant:
More commonly, Drew is considered a short form or variant of the male given name Andrew. Andrew is derived from the Greek name "Andreas," which was formed from the elements "ἀνήρ" (anēr), meaning "man," and "ἀνδός" (andós), meaning "bold." Thus, Drew essentially means "bold man."
The use of Drew as a distinct given name, rather than simply a nickname for Andrew, gained traction in the mid-20th century. It became particularly popular during the 1970s and has continued to be used consistently since then.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Drew or Andrew who have contributed to various fields such as acting, music, sports, and politics. However, it is important to note that this presentation focuses solely on the origins and meanings of the name Drew, without referencing any particular traits or associated celebrations.
The statistics provided show the number of births with the given name Drew in the United States each year from 1880 to 2023. The data reveals several trends and patterns over time.
From 1880 to around 1945, the annual number of births named Drew varied significantly, ranging from a low of 5 births in certain years to a high of 88 births in 1945. However, it's important to note that the total population and birth rates were also much lower during this period.
Starting in 1946, there was a significant increase in the number of births named Drew, reaching 234 births that year. This trend continued through the 1950s, with the highest number of births occurring in 1956, with 487 newborns named Drew.
The popularity of the name Drew peaked in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with over 1,000 births each year between 1979 and 1984. The highest number of births recorded during this period was 2,276 in 1985.
After the mid-1980s, the popularity of the name Drew began to decline, with fewer than 2,000 births per year from 1987 onwards. This downward trend continued throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, with fewer than 2,000 births per year each decade.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Drew has stabilized, with around 500-600 newborns named Drew each year from 2016 to 2023. Overall, the total number of births named Drew in the United States from 1880 to 2023 is 77,487.
These statistics show how the popularity of the name Drew has evolved over time, with periods of significant growth and decline. Despite these fluctuations, Drew remains a popular name choice for parents in the United States.