Drew Unisex

Popularity: #487 · 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 #275 nationally, which occurred in 1995, and has been most popular in California, Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio, and New York.

In the past 5 years the name Drew has been trending up 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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 940 541 399
2024 955 551 404
2023 919 549 370
2022 900 568 332
2021 918 579 339
2020 810 538 272
2019 736 552 184
2018 810 631 179
2017 880 675 205
2016 1,016 800 216
2015 1,109 896 213
2014 1,275 1,062 213
2013 1,405 1,179 226
2012 1,473 1,239 234
2011 1,402 1,232 170
2010 1,581 1,414 167
2009 1,439 1,263 176
2008 1,649 1,479 170
2007 2,041 1,831 210
2006 2,057 1,860 197
2005 2,202 1,950 252
2004 1,907 1,667 240
2003 1,772 1,572 200
2002 1,789 1,575 214
2001 1,829 1,565 264
2000 2,231 1,948 283
1999 2,404 2,009 395
1998 2,079 1,803 276
1997 2,244 1,994 250
1996 2,388 2,101 287
1995 2,460 2,180 280
1994 2,050 1,856 194
1993 2,020 1,854 166
1992 1,905 1,779 126
1991 1,898 1,804 94
1990 2,039 1,954 85
1989 2,094 2,013 81
1988 1,826 1,754 72
1987 1,860 1,759 101
1986 2,112 2,000 112
1985 2,397 2,276 121
1984 1,844 1,765 79
1983 1,450 1,376 74
1982 1,048 1,012 36
1981 936 917 19
1980 727 720 7
1979 640 625 15
1978 553 547 6
1977 484 484 0
1976 425 418 7
1975 382 376 6
1974 383 377 6
1973 302 302 0
1972 322 322 0
1971 320 314 6
1970 408 403 5
1969 374 374 0
1968 400 400 0
1967 373 373 0
1966 430 430 0
1965 419 409 10
1964 425 418 7
1963 429 421 8
1962 444 438 6
1961 583 570 13
1960 565 553 12
1959 557 540 17
1958 447 440 7
1957 490 470 20
1956 501 486 15
1955 271 260 11
1954 271 260 11
1953 224 213 11
1952 222 214 8
1951 206 195 11
1950 212 202 10
1949 211 206 5
1948 185 185 0
1947 220 213 7
1946 246 234 12
1945 93 88 5
1944 80 72 8
1943 79 74 5
1942 61 55 6
1941 48 48 0
1940 49 49 0
1939 49 44 5
1938 36 36 0
1937 20 20 0
1936 29 29 0
1935 25 25 0
1934 19 19 0
1933 35 30 5
1932 31 31 0
1931 35 30 5
1930 39 39 0
1929 22 22 0
1928 23 23 0
1927 24 24 0
1926 25 25 0
1925 21 21 0
1924 21 21 0
1923 27 22 5
1922 33 33 0
1921 29 23 6
1920 27 27 0
1919 26 26 0
1918 27 20 7
1917 26 26 0
1916 26 26 0
1915 26 26 0
1914 19 19 0
1913 21 21 0
1912 13 13 0
1911 7 7 0
1910 14 14 0
1909 5 5 0
1907 8 8 0
1906 6 6 0
1905 6 6 0
1904 8 8 0
1900 8 8 0
1897 6 6 0
1896 5 5 0
1895 5 5 0
1894 6 6 0
1893 5 5 0
1892 6 6 0
1890 5 5 0
1889 5 5 0
1888 10 10 0
1886 12 12 0
1884 8 8 0
1883 11 11 0
1882 11 11 0
1881 8 8 0
1880 6 6 0

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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 99
11%
CA 76
9%
OH 42
5%
IL 39
4%
NY 34
4%
IN 33
4%
PA 32
4%
LA 31
3%
UT 30
3%
WA 30
3%
MI 29
3%
MN 28
3%
MO 28
3%
FL 28
3%
NJ 27
3%
NC 25
3%
GA 25
3%
IA 23
3%
TN 23
3%
MA 23
3%
OK 21
2%
MD 19
2%
KS 18
2%
VA 18
2%
CO 17
2%
KY 17
2%
WI 16
2%
AZ 13
1%
AL 11
1%
AR 8
1%
ND 7
1%
SC 6
1%
NE 6
1%
CT 6
1%