Andreas

What does Andreas mean?

Andreas comes from the Greek root ἀνήρ (anēr), through the adjective ἀνδρεῖος, and carries the sense of being "manly" or "brave". In practice the name points to qualities of courage, strength and a straightforward, grounded presence.

As a given name, Andreas feels solid and timeless. It balances a classical pedigree with a direct, purposeful tone. It sits well alongside names such as Andrew and Anders, sharing the same core idea but offering a slightly more continental, formal flavour.

Historical Context

The name originates in ancient Greek, built on ἀνήρ (anēr), meaning "man". From that root came ἀνδρεῖος, an adjective used to describe courage and valour. The Greek form Andreas passed into the Christian world early on, largely because of Saint Andrew, one of the twelve apostles. His prominence spread the name throughout the Eastern Roman Empire and into Orthodox Christian cultures.

Over centuries the name evolved into many local forms. In Latin and western Europe it became Andrew and variants such as Andre and Andres. In Slavic regions it appears as Andrei or Andrej, and in Scandinavia as Anders. The original Greek shape, Andreas, remains common in parts of southern and central Europe and is often chosen for its classical resonance and clear root meaning.

Popularity of Andreas over time

In 2025, Andreas was given to 52 boys in the UK. Andreas has remained fairly steady over the last 20 years, and remains an uncommon boys' name in the UK.

What do parents think of Andreas?