Aubrey
Aubrey: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɔːbɹi/
Meaning and origin of Aubrey
Root meaning: “elf, fairy”
- A male given name from the Germanic languages or transferred from the surname.
- A female given name transferred from the surname, of 1970s and later American usage.
Etymology
From Middle English Aubrey, Aubry, from Norman Auberi, Alberi, from Latin Alberīcus, Latinized form of Old High German Alberich, from Proto-Germanic *Albirīks, from *albiz (“elf, fairy”) + *rīks (“king, ruler”). Possibly influenced by Gaulish Albiorīx (literally "ruler of the world"). Cognates include German Alberich and Italian Alberico.
How popular is Aubrey?
Since 1880, 133,515 girls and 31,090 boys in the U.S. have been named Aubrey (81% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #15 in 2012. Its highest rank for boys was #224 in 1912. In 2025 it ranked #146 for girls, with 2,073 babies given the name.
Names similar to Aubrey
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Aubrey FAQ
What does the name Aubrey mean?
Aubrey traces back to a root meaning "elf, fairy". A male given name from the Germanic languages or transferred from the surname. A female given name transferred from the surname, of 1970s and later American usage. From Middle English Aubrey, Aubry, from Norman Auberi, Alberi, from Latin Alberīcus, Latinized form of Old High German Alberich, from Proto-Germanic *Albirīks, from *albiz (“elf, fairy”) + *rīks (“king, ruler”). Possibly influenced by Gaulish Albiorīx (literally "ruler of the world"). Cognates include German Alberich and Italian Alberico.
What is the origin of the name Aubrey?
Aubrey is listed as a name of Germanic languages or transferred from t origin.
How popular is the name Aubrey?
Since 1880, 133,515 girls and 31,090 boys in the U.S. have been named Aubrey (81% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #15 in 2012. Its highest rank for boys was #224 in 1912. In 2025 it ranked #146 for girls, with 2,073 babies given the name.
Is Aubrey a boy or girl name?
Aubrey is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (133,515 girls and 31,090 boys since 1880).
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.