Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Aubrey is a name with Germanic roots meaning 'ruler of the elves'. It evolved from 'Alberich' through 'Aubri' to its current form. The name gained popularity in England after the Norman Conquest and has since become fashionable for both genders, particularly for girls. It is often associated with elegance and modernity, while it has no biblical significance.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɔːbri/
Origin
Old French and Germanic
Etymology
The name Aubrey is derived from the Old French name 'Aubri', which in turn comes from the Germanic name 'Alberich', composed of the elements 'ald' meaning 'old' and 'ric' meaning 'ruler' or 'power'.
Meaning
Ruler of the elves
Language Evolution
Alberich, Aubri, Aubrey
Historical Usage
Aubrey became popular in England during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, and it was predominantly used for boys until the 20th century when it became more common as a girl's name.
Variants & Derivatives
Aubree, Aubrie, Aubree, Aubry
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Aubrey is perceived as a trendy and modern name, popular among parents looking for a name that is both elegant and youthful.
Famous People
Aubrey Plaza, Aubrey Drake Graham (Drake), Aubrey O'Day
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 8,211 peak births in 2012
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (13 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 13 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 258th of 7545 | 7,345 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 292nd of 6773 | 6,710 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 424th of 7552 | 5,911 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 591st of 10718 | 3,007 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 689th of 16616 | 3,271 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1078th of 24088 | 2,510 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1343rd of 23106 | 1,658 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1562nd of 9107 | 468 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2068th of 9204 | 306 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 4004th of 12526 | 177 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 836th of 19264 | 2,600 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 315th of 27321 | 13,589 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 98th of 35406 | 53,786 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 40th of 30306 | 60,524 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
29.24% 414th/1416 |
34.45% 475th/1379 |
6.85% 162nd/2366 |
46.85% 535th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
32.34% 500th/1546 |
34.06% 530th/1556 |
8.50% 200th/2353 |
37.94% 587th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
27.80% 619th/2227 |
27.24% 662nd/2430 |
10.69% 305th/2853 |
23.28% 646th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
27.65% 812th/2937 |
22.31% 777th/3483 |
12.42% 437th/3518 |
20.33% 822nd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
26.05% 960th/3685 |
20.49% 917th/4475 |
9.65% 501st/5194 |
17.19% 1086th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
40.57% 1859th/4582 |
28.70% 1482nd/5164 |
9.97% 729th/7313 |
27.75% 2071st/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
49.27% 1963rd/3984 |
31.56% 1416th/4487 |
14.35% 979th/6822 |
28.98% 1819th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
57.78% 1367th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
73.99% 1741st/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
24.55% 721st/2937 |
29.00% 1010th/3483 |
27.43% 965th/3518 |
15.33% 620th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
6.92% 255th/3685 |
9.16% 410th/4475 |
6.97% 362nd/5194 |
4.27% 270th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
1.57% 72nd/4582 |
2.79% 144th/5164 |
1.16% 85th/7313 |
1.70% 127th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
0.88% 35th/3984 |
1.00% 45th/4487 |
0.43% 29th/6822 |
1.04% 65th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Utah across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been consistently rising. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, too rising for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too rising for female in Northeast, falling for male in South, too rising for female in South, stalled for male in West, too rising for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, too falling for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too falling for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, stalled for male in West, too falling for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 258th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 292nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 424th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 591st out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 689th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1078th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1343rd out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1562nd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2068th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4004th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 836th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 315th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 98th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 40th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.