Audra is a feminine given name of uncertain origin and meaning. Some sources suggest that it may be derived from the Germanic element "auda" or "aud," which means "noble" or "rich." Others propose that it could be a variant spelling of the Old Norse name Auðr, also meaning "noble" or "prosperous."
The name Audra first appeared in literature in the late 19th century, used by American novelist and poet Thomas Bailey Aldrich in his 1874 novel "The Queen of Sheba." Since then, it has been used occasionally as a given name for girls.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Audra. One of the most famous is Australian actress and singer Audra Morley (1926-1993), known for her roles in films such as "The Overlanders" and "Smiley." Additionally, American ballet dancer Audra Bossi (born 1957) has had a successful career performing with various dance companies around the world.
In popular culture, the name Audra has been used in several works of fiction. For example, it is the name of one of the main characters in the 2018 film "The Purge: The First Purge," played by actress Marisa Tomei. It also appears as a character name in the video game "Life Is Strange: Before the Storm."
Overall, while the origin and meaning of the name Audra may be uncertain, it is undeniably a unique and distinctive given name with a rich history of notable bearers throughout literature, film, dance, and other arts.
The name Audra has seen varied trends in popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1887 and 1964, there were fewer than 30 births each year with this name. However, starting from 1965, there was a significant increase in its popularity, reaching a peak of 910 births in 1971.
Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, Audra remained quite popular, with around 400 to 600 births each year. However, from the mid-1980s onwards, its popularity began to decline steadily. By the late 1990s, there were fewer than 300 births per year with this name.
In the 21st century, Audra's popularity has continued to decrease. Between 2000 and 2023, the number of annual births with this name ranged from a high of 232 in 2014 to a low of 103 in 2022. Overall, there have been 25,388 babies named Audra in the United States since 1887.
Despite its fluctuations in popularity over time, the name Audra has maintained a consistent presence among baby names in the United States. It's always interesting to see how trends in naming evolve throughout history!