Girl · 40th of 30,306
Aubrey
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
162,498
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2012
Peak Popularity Year
8,211
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Aubrey stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
Jump to a section
Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
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 Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
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
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Consistently Rising
Explore popularity by location
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
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
Compare 13 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
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
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |