Andre
/ˈɑːn.dɹeɪ/
Andre is the English form of the French name André, derived from the Greek Andreas, meaning “manly” or “brave.” The root word andreios (ανδρείος) carries connotations of courage and masculine virtue.
In the New Testament, Andrew (Andreas) was one of the 12 apostles and the brother of Simon Peter.
The unaccented English spelling Andre gained particular prominence in African American communities beginning in the mid-20th century.
What the name Andre means
Tennis champion Andre Agassi (born 1970), rapper Andre 3000 (born André Benjamin, 1975), and football player Andre Johnson have kept the name visible across multiple domains of American culture.
Andre peaked in the United States at No. 119 in 1984 and in 2024 ranked No. 133 with 2,316 births. The name has experienced a long, gradual decline from its 1980s peak, losing roughly 5-8 positions per year over 4 decades.
The French form André remains one of the most common boys’ names in France, where it has been in the top 100 since records began.
Portuguese André, Spanish Andrés, Italian Andrea (used for boys in Italy), and German Andreas all derive from the same Greek root.
Professional wrestler André the Giant (André René Roussimoff, 1946-1993) remains one of the most iconic bearers of the name in popular culture. His larger-than-life persona gave the name an association with physical power.
Andre’s 2-syllable structure (on-DRAY) gives it a smooth, sophisticated sound that distinguishes it from the more common Andrew. The name occupies a middle ground between classic formality and modern style.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Andre
Andre - similar names
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity