Drew: Baby Name Meaning, Nicknames and Numerology

What does the baby name “Drew” mean?

Drew is a crisp, confident short form of Andrew, carrying the Greek meaning of strong or manly in a compact package that works beautifully for both boys and girls.

Origin of the baby name Drew

Drew began as a familiar short form of Andrew, which comes from the Greek name Andreas, built on aner (man) in the genitive form andros, meaning of a man or manly. As a standalone given name, Drew retains the strong, direct quality of its Greek root while dropping the longer form's formality. The related names Dru and Dew capture the same short, punchy energy.

Baby Drew: The Explorer →

History of the baby name “Drew”

Drew was long a nickname for Andrew before it stepped out on its own as a given name in the 20th century. Its rise as an independent name was aided by its crisp one-syllable form, which made it feel modern and easy while still carrying a classic heritage. The name has been used for both boys and girls for decades, and it continues to hold a comfortable place on baby name lists across the English-speaking world.

Why parents choose the baby name “Drew”

Drew is the kind of name that never needs an explanation: it's short, strong, and sounds great from the playground to the boardroom. Its one-syllable punch means it pairs well with longer middle or last names, and its gender-open history makes it a natural choice for parents who want a name that doesn't loudly signal a particular gender. It ages effortlessly.

Nicknames for the Baby Name “Drew”

Drew, Drewy, Drewin, Drewkin, Drewster, Drewerino, Drewinator

Nicknames from Around the World for the Baby Name “Drew”

Terms of endearment for a baby name work differently around the world. Some cultures clip the name short, while others add an affectionate ending that can make it longer instead. Here is how the baby name Drew might sound as a nickname in a few other languages and dialects.

Australian:

Drewo, Drezza

British:

Drews

German:

Drewchen

Irish:

Dreween

Italian:

Drewetto

Spanish:

Drewito

Variations on the baby name “Drew”

Drew's most obvious relative is Andrew, its full form, which is one of the most widespread names in the world. Variants include Dru, a simplified spelling, and the older English form Dew. Andrew itself appears across languages as Andre (French), Andreas (German, Greek, Scandinavian), Andres (Spanish), and Andrea (Italian, also widely used for girls in Italy).

Related forms