Drew Unisex

Popularity: #473 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: droo //druː//

Origin: English; Scottish

Meaning: English: brave; Scottish: manly

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Drew is derived from the Old French name "Dreux," which itself originates from the Latin name "Druis," meaning "oak tree." This etymological lineage can be traced back to the Proto-Celtic word "dru-," which also signifies an oak. The name entered the English language during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many Old French names were adopted into English vernacular.

As a result, Drew became established as a given name in England, particularly in the context of the Anglo-Norman nobility. Historically, the name Drew has been associated with several notable figures.

One significant milestone is the use of Drew as a surname, which can be traced back to medieval England, where it was often used to denote individuals from places named Dreux in France. The name was also borne by various saints, including Saint Andrew, whose name in Greek is "Andreas," meaning "manly" or "brave." The influence of Christianity in the Middle Ages helped to popularize names like Drew, particularly in relation to the veneration of saints and biblical figures.

Culturally, the name Drew has resonated through various traditions and literary works. It has been used in English literature and poetry, often symbolizing strength and resilience, akin to the oak tree from which it derives its meaning.

The name has also been associated with nobility and leadership, reflecting the qualities attributed to oak trees in various cultures. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Drewie have appeared in historical contexts, although Drew remains the most recognized form.

Overall, the name Drew carries with it a rich tapestry of linguistic roots and historical significance that has contributed to its enduring presence in the English-speaking world.

Famous people named Drew

In this section, you will find notable people named Drew. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Drew who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Drew who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Drew Barrymore is an actress and producer best known for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, The Wedding Singer, and Charlie's Angels.

Drew Brees is a former American football quarterback best known for his time with the New Orleans Saints and winning Super Bowl XLIV.

Drew Carey is a comedian and actor best known for The Drew Carey Show and hosting The Price Is Right.

Drew Pomeranz is a professional baseball pitcher best known for playing with the San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox.

Drew Rosenhaus is a sports agent best known for representing numerous NFL players.

Fictional characters named Drew

The following list of fictional characters named Drew is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Drew is a fictional character from the animated series The Magic School Bus. He is a student in Ms. Frizzle's class who often participates in the adventurous field trips.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Drew, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Drew. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Drew was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Drew has ranked as high as #249 nationally, which occurred in 1985, and has been most popular in California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and Michigan.

In the past 5 years the name Drew has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Drew is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Drew was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Drew (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.

State Births Share
TX 57
12%
CA 51
10%
LA 24
5%
UT 22
4%
MI 20
4%
IL 20
4%
OH 20
4%
MN 19
4%
IN 19
4%
NY 17
3%
MA 17
3%
FL 16
3%
WA 16
3%
NC 14
3%
IA 13
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Drew.

YearBirths
2024550
2023549
2022568
2021578
2020537
2019552
2018630
2017675
2016800
2015896
20141,062
20131,179
20121,239
20111,232
20101,414
20091,263
20081,479
20071,831
20061,860
20051,950
20041,667
20031,572
20021,575
20011,565
20001,948
19992,009
19981,803
19971,994
19962,100
19952,180
19941,856
19931,854
19921,779
19911,804
19901,954
19892,012
19881,754
19871,759
19862,000
19852,276
19841,765
19831,376
19821,012
1981917
1980720
1979625
1978547
1977484
1976418
1975376
1974377
1973303
1972322
1971314
1970403
1969374
1968400
1967373
1966430
1965409
1964418
1963421
1962438
1961569
1960553
1959540
1958440
1957470
1956486
1955260
1954260
1953213
1952214
1951195
1950202
1949206
1948185
1947213
1946234
194588
194472
194374
194255
194148
194049
193944
193836
193720
193629
193525
193419
193330
193231
193130
193039
192922
192823
192724
192625
192521
192421
192322
192233
192123
192027
191926
191820
191726
191626
191526
191419
191321
191213
19117
191014
19095
19078
19066
19056
19048
19008
18976
18965
18955
18946
18935
18926
18905
18895
188810
188612
18848
188311
188211
18818
18806