Drew Unisex
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 | |
| CA | 51 | |
| LA | 24 | |
| UT | 22 | |
| MI | 20 | |
| IL | 20 | |
| OH | 20 | |
| MN | 19 | |
| IN | 19 | |
| NY | 17 | |
| MA | 17 | |
| FL | 16 | |
| WA | 16 | |
| NC | 14 | |
| IA | 13 |
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.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 550 |
| 2023 | 549 |
| 2022 | 568 |
| 2021 | 578 |
| 2020 | 537 |
| 2019 | 552 |
| 2018 | 630 |
| 2017 | 675 |
| 2016 | 800 |
| 2015 | 896 |
| 2014 | 1,062 |
| 2013 | 1,179 |
| 2012 | 1,239 |
| 2011 | 1,232 |
| 2010 | 1,414 |
| 2009 | 1,263 |
| 2008 | 1,479 |
| 2007 | 1,831 |
| 2006 | 1,860 |
| 2005 | 1,950 |
| 2004 | 1,667 |
| 2003 | 1,572 |
| 2002 | 1,575 |
| 2001 | 1,565 |
| 2000 | 1,948 |
| 1999 | 2,009 |
| 1998 | 1,803 |
| 1997 | 1,994 |
| 1996 | 2,100 |
| 1995 | 2,180 |
| 1994 | 1,856 |
| 1993 | 1,854 |
| 1992 | 1,779 |
| 1991 | 1,804 |
| 1990 | 1,954 |
| 1989 | 2,012 |
| 1988 | 1,754 |
| 1987 | 1,759 |
| 1986 | 2,000 |
| 1985 | 2,276 |
| 1984 | 1,765 |
| 1983 | 1,376 |
| 1982 | 1,012 |
| 1981 | 917 |
| 1980 | 720 |
| 1979 | 625 |
| 1978 | 547 |
| 1977 | 484 |
| 1976 | 418 |
| 1975 | 376 |
| 1974 | 377 |
| 1973 | 303 |
| 1972 | 322 |
| 1971 | 314 |
| 1970 | 403 |
| 1969 | 374 |
| 1968 | 400 |
| 1967 | 373 |
| 1966 | 430 |
| 1965 | 409 |
| 1964 | 418 |
| 1963 | 421 |
| 1962 | 438 |
| 1961 | 569 |
| 1960 | 553 |
| 1959 | 540 |
| 1958 | 440 |
| 1957 | 470 |
| 1956 | 486 |
| 1955 | 260 |
| 1954 | 260 |
| 1953 | 213 |
| 1952 | 214 |
| 1951 | 195 |
| 1950 | 202 |
| 1949 | 206 |
| 1948 | 185 |
| 1947 | 213 |
| 1946 | 234 |
| 1945 | 88 |
| 1944 | 72 |
| 1943 | 74 |
| 1942 | 55 |
| 1941 | 48 |
| 1940 | 49 |
| 1939 | 44 |
| 1938 | 36 |
| 1937 | 20 |
| 1936 | 29 |
| 1935 | 25 |
| 1934 | 19 |
| 1933 | 30 |
| 1932 | 31 |
| 1931 | 30 |
| 1930 | 39 |
| 1929 | 22 |
| 1928 | 23 |
| 1927 | 24 |
| 1926 | 25 |
| 1925 | 21 |
| 1924 | 21 |
| 1923 | 22 |
| 1922 | 33 |
| 1921 | 23 |
| 1920 | 27 |
| 1919 | 26 |
| 1918 | 20 |
| 1917 | 26 |
| 1916 | 26 |
| 1915 | 26 |
| 1914 | 19 |
| 1913 | 21 |
| 1912 | 13 |
| 1911 | 7 |
| 1910 | 14 |
| 1909 | 5 |
| 1907 | 8 |
| 1906 | 6 |
| 1905 | 6 |
| 1904 | 8 |
| 1900 | 8 |
| 1897 | 6 |
| 1896 | 5 |
| 1895 | 5 |
| 1894 | 6 |
| 1893 | 5 |
| 1892 | 6 |
| 1890 | 5 |
| 1889 | 5 |
| 1888 | 10 |
| 1886 | 12 |
| 1884 | 8 |
| 1883 | 11 |
| 1882 | 11 |
| 1881 | 8 |
| 1880 | 6 |