Andrei

What does Andrei mean?

Andrei traces back to the Greek name Andreas, and at its heart it conveys the idea of masculinity and courage. In simple terms the name carries the sense of a manly or brave person, a meaning that feels grounded and straightforward.

The name has a confident, approachable tone. It sits comfortably between classic and modern usage, feeling familiar without being plain. Parents who like Andrew or Andreas will recognise the same solid roots in Andrei, while hearing a slightly fresher, continental twist.

Historical Context

The name comes from the Greek Andreas, which was common in the ancient Greek world and later popularised through Christian usage, most notably Saint Andrew, one of the apostles. Through the spread of Christianity and different languages adapting the name, many local forms developed. In Slavic and Romanian-speaking areas the form Andrei became standard.

Over centuries the name travelled across Europe and into Anglophone countries as Andrew and into Western Europe as Andre or Andreas. The Romanian spelling Andrei is firmly established in Romania and Moldova, and it is also used as one valid transliteration in some Slavic contexts. Its evolution shows a mix of religious influence and local phonetic adaptation, which is why related forms exist across many languages while the core meaning remains recognisable.

Popularity of Andrei over time

In 2025, Andrei was given to 61 boys in the UK. Andrei has risen sharply over the last 20 years, and is now an uncommon boys' name in the UK.

What do parents think of Andrei?