Aubrey
Aubrey Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/ˈɔb.ɹi/
Meaning of Aubrey: Aubrey derives from the Old French Auberi, itself from the Germanic Alberic, combining alb (elf) and ric (ruler, power), meaning "elf ruler" or "power of the elves." In Germanic and Norse mythology.
Elves were powerful supernatural beings -- not the small, mischievous creatures of later folklore, but mysterious, beautiful forces of nature associated with fertility and fate.
The name was brought to England by the Normans after 1066, where it was used as a given name for both men and women through the medieval period.
What Does Aubrey Mean? Origin & Etymology
The medieval form Auberon became associated with the fairy king of English folklore, appearing in Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene (1590) and as Oberon, the fairy king in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream (1600).
Aubrey Beardsley (1872-1898), the English illustrator known for his distinctive black-and-white Art Nouveau style, was one of the most prominent Victorian Aubrey bearers -- his work gave the name an aesthetic, slightly decadent association.
In the United States, Aubrey was primarily male through most of the twentieth century. The decisive crossover to female use came in the 2000s, and by 2010 over 90% of American Aubrey bearers were female. This shift is one of the fastest gender crossovers in American naming history.
Aubrey ranked 60th for girls in the US in 2024. It has been inside the top 100 for girls since 2004, and its combination of a soft sound, fairy mythology, and distinctive feel has sustained it through two decades of strong female use.
Full etymology records and US popularity records at the Social Security Administration.
How Popular Is Aubrey?
Numerology & Symbolism of Aubrey
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Aubrey – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Aubrey
What does the name Aubrey mean?
Aubrey means "elf ruler" or "power of the elves," from Germanic Alberic -- combining alb (elf) and ric (ruler or power). In Germanic and Norse mythology, elves were powerful supernatural beings associated with fertility and fate, not the small creatures of later folklore. The elf-ruler meaning carries genuine mythological weight.
Was Aubrey originally a boy's name?
Yes. Aubrey was primarily used as a given name for boys and men in England and America through most of the twentieth century. The decisive crossover to female use happened in the early 2000s, and by 2010 over 90% of American Aubrey bearers were female. It is one of the fastest gender crossovers in American naming history.
How popular is Aubrey in the United States?
Aubrey ranked 60th for girls in the US in 2024. It entered the girls' top 100 in 2004 and has remained there for over 20 years. Before 2000, Aubrey appeared primarily in male naming records.
Is Aubrey related to Oberon?
Yes. The fairy king Oberon in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream (1600) derives from the same root as Aubrey -- both trace back to Germanic Alberic (elf ruler), which became Auberon in medieval French literature and then Oberon in Shakespeare. The elf-ruler etymology connects Aubrey directly to fairy mythology.
What are names similar to Aubrey?
Names in the same French-influenced, soft feminine category include Audrey, Avery, Abbey, and Amber. Names sharing the elf mythology root include Alberich and Oberon (both male). The spelling Aubree is an alternate form used occasionally. Audrey, while etymologically distinct, is phonetically close and often mentioned alongside Aubrey.