Audrey is a feminine given name of French origin. It is derived from the Germanic elements "aud" meaning "noble" or "rich," and "rheid" which means "power" or "majesty." Thus, Audrey means "noble strength" or "noble majesty."
The name Audrey first appeared in English-speaking countries during the late 19th century. However, it did not gain significant popularity until the mid-20th century. One possible reason for its increased usage is that it was the given name of Audrey Hepburn, a renowned actress who became famous in the 1950s and 1960s. Hepburn's notable films include "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "Roman Holiday," both released in 1961.
Prior to Hepburn's rise to fame, Audrey was relatively uncommon as a given name. However, after her success on the silver screen, more parents began choosing this name for their daughters. Today, Audrey is considered a classic yet still popular choice for girls' names in many parts of the world.
In terms of its usage over time, Audrey has been among the top 1000 most frequently given female names in the United States since the mid-20th century. It peaked in popularity during the late 1950s and early 1960s when Hepburn was at the height of her career. While it may not have reached those same heights recently, Audrey remains a well-liked choice among parents today.
Some famous individuals named Audrey include Australian model and actress Audley Harrison; American singer-songwriter Audrey Horne (born Melissa Bonny); Canadian poet Audrey Thomas; and British artist Audrey Beardsley, amongst others. These figures help contribute to the ongoing popularity of this elegant and meaningful name.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the name Audery in the United States from 1915 to 2004. During this period, there were a total of 495 babies named Audery born in the United States.
From 1915 to 1933, the number of births with the name Audery varied between 5 and 12 each year, with peaks occurring in 1926 (11 births) and 1932-1933 (both 12 births). However, there was a noticeable decrease in popularity during the early to mid-1940s, with only 5 births recorded in both 1944 and 1945.
The name Audery began to regain popularity in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with the number of births increasing from 8 in 1956 to a peak of 22 in 1967. This trend continued through the 1960s and into the 1970s, although the popularity declined again thereafter.
Interestingly, despite the overall decrease in popularity after the 1970s, there were still occasional spikes in births with the name Audery throughout the remainder of the period studied. For example, there were 5 births recorded each year from 1975 to 1988, and another spike occurred in 2004 with 5 births.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate the fluctuating popularity of the name Audery over time in the United States, with periods of increased and decreased usage. Despite its ups and downs in popularity, however, the name Audery has still been chosen for a significant number of babies born in the United States over the past century.