Audrey is a feminine given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old French name Audrey, which in turn comes from the Germanic elements "auda" meaning "noble" or "noble strength", and "rheid" meaning "power" or "radiance". The name was popularized by Saint Audrey, also known as Æthelthryth, who was a 7th-century saint from England. She is remembered for her piety and devotion to God, and her name has been associated with beauty and grace ever since.
The name Audrey gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the Middle Ages, but it was not widely used until the 20th century. It became particularly popular after the release of the film "Breakfast at Tiffany's" in 1961, in which the main character is named Audrey Hepburn. Since then, the name has become even more associated with elegance and sophistication.
Today, Audrey remains a popular choice for parents seeking a classic yet distinctive name for their daughters. It has consistently ranked among the top 500 names for girls in the United States since the 1980s. Variations of the name include Audra, Auda, and even the masculine form Audrey, which has been used occasionally throughout history.
In conclusion, Audrey is a timeless and elegant name with a rich history dating back to medieval England. Its meaning of "noble strength" and associations with beauty and grace make it a popular choice for parents looking for a name that combines classic charm with modern appeal.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Audrey has seen a significant increase in popularity over time in the United States. From only 11 births recorded in 1881, the number of newborn girls named Audrey grew steadily throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
By 1915, the popularity of the name Audrey began to skyrocket, with over 1,500 births recorded that year. This trend continued into the following decade, reaching nearly 3,000 births in 1926. The popularity of the name peaked in the late 1940s and early 1950s, with over 2,500 births each year from 1954 to 1958.
However, after reaching its peak, the popularity of the name Audrey started to decline. By the mid-1970s, fewer than 1,000 newborn girls were named Audrey each year. Despite this decrease in popularity, Audrey remained a popular choice among parents, with over 3,000 births recorded annually between 2002 and 2008.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Audrey has seen another significant increase, with over 4,000 births recorded each year from 2012 to 2015. However, this trend has begun to decline once again in recent years, with fewer than 3,500 births recorded annually between 2016 and 2022.
Overall, the name Audrey has had a long and winding journey in terms of popularity over the past century in the United States. While it experienced periods of significant growth and decline, it remains a popular choice among parents today.