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 [ 2 syll. au-drey, aud-r-ey ] The girl name Audrey is pronounced as AODRiy KEY. Audrey is used predominantly in the English language, and it is derived from Old English and Germanic origins. From Old English and Germanic roots, its meaning is noble strength. Two-element name derived from the elements 'aethel' meaning noble, honorable ; 'thryth' meaning strength, power. The name was borne by Saint Etheldreda, a 7th-century English saint and East Anglian princess. The name Audrey first arose as a shortened version of Etheldreda in the early 16th century and the saint came to be known as Saint Audrey. In the Isle of Ely where she was an abbess, the annual St Audrey fair selling lace and trinkets was held, as the saint was traditionally known to have a liking for fine necklaces in her youth. The name of the fair gave rise to the word 'tawdry' in reference to the low quality goods being sold there. This was especially so in the 17th century when Puritans despised lacy attire, resulting in a decline in the use of the name Audrey by association. Audrey has also appeared as the name of a country girl in Shakespeare's pastoral play As You Like It (1599), reflecting its rustic and unfavorable associations then. In the 19th century it enjoyed a revival, spawning variants such as Audra. The name has since lost much of its previous associations, and is now famous from the actress Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993). Audey (English), Audra (Lithuanian and English), Audrea (English), Audreen (English), Audrene (English), Audri (English), Audria (English), Audrianna (English), and Audrina (English) are variations of Audrey. In addition, Audrey is a variation (English) of the name Edeltraud (German). Audrey is also a variation of the name Etheldreda (English). Other forms of Audrey include the short form Aud (English), the pet forms Addy (English), Audi (English), Audie (English), Audrie (English), and Audry (English), and the variant spelling Audree (English). Audrey is very popular as a baby name for girls, and it is also viewed as trendy. The name's popularity jumped from the 1900s up to the 1920s; before that, it was of occasional use only. At the modest peak of its usage in 1928, 0.387% of baby girls were given the name Audrey. It ranked at #60 then. The baby name has since declined in popularity. In 2008, its usage was 0.263% and its ranking #44, but it was nonetheless the most popular out of all girl names in its group. In 2008, 6 times more girls were named Audrey than the subsequent ranked name, Audrina (English). The name Audrey has mostly been a girl name, though it has also been given to boys in the past century. In 1939, the name Audrey was given to 53 times as many girls than boys. Baby names that sound like Audrey include Audree (English), Audri (English), Audry (English), Adair (English and Scottish), Adri (English), Adry (English), Audra (Lithuanian and English), Adara (Arabic and Greek), Adira (Hebrew), Adora (Greek), Adria (English and German), Adrie (English), Annedore (German), Atara (Hebrew), Atira, Audrea (English), Audria (English), Audrie (English), and Aiyetoro (Yoruban). Details of famous persons named Audrey: KEY: Pronunciation for Audrey: AO as in "ought (AO.T)" ; D as in "dee (D.IY)" ; R as in "read (R.IY.D)" ; IY as in "eat (IY.T)"   |
