Andrew is a name of Greek origin, derived from the name Andreas, which means "manly" or "strong". It is composed of two elements: 'andros', meaning "man", and '-ia', a suffix that denotes belonging to or being associated with.
The name Andrew has been popular throughout history. It was borne by several saints in the early Christian era, including Saint Andrew, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. According to tradition, he was crucified on an X-shaped cross and is considered the patron saint of Scotland, Greece, and Russia, among other countries.
The name Andrew has also been used by numerous kings and nobles throughout history. Some notable examples include King Andrew II of Hungary (1205-1235) and Grand Duke Andrew of Russia (1674-1739). Additionally, several members of the British royal family have borne the name Andrew, including Prince Andrew, Duke of York, who is the second son of Queen Elizabeth II.
In literature and arts, Andrew has been used as a character's name in various works. For instance, it appears in Shakespeare's play "Twelfth Night", where Andrew Aguecheek is one of the characters. The name has also been used by authors such as Charlotte Brontë ("Jane Eyre") and Mark Twain ("Adventures of Huckleberry Finn").
Today, Andrew remains a popular given name for boys worldwide. It has consistently ranked among the top 500 names in the United States since the early 20th century. According to some sources, it is more prevalent as a surname than as a given name.
Overall, the name Andrew carries with it a strong historical and cultural legacy, reflecting its Greek origins and widespread use throughout history by notable figures from various walks of life.
"Andrew was quite popular as a baby boy name from 1978 to 1988, with an average of around 5 births per year during this period."