Audrey

How to say it

ˈɔ.dri

What it means

From Old English Æthelthryth, 'noble strength,' shortened to Audrey through centuries of compression. The patron saint Æthelthryth of Ely is the historical anchor.

Audrey is the smoothed-out form of Old English Æthelthryth (æthel 'noble' + thryth 'strength'), the name of a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon princess and abbess. Her cult was popular in medieval England, where 'St. Audrey' became a contraction. Tawdry, the English word for cheap finery, comes from St. Audrey's fair, where cheap lace was sold. The name dropped after the Reformation, returned mildly in the 19th century, and surged after Audrey Hepburn lit up Roman Holiday in 1953. It's been a steady top-100 name in the US since the 2000s. Aud is the only common short and it rarely sticks.

How to spell Audrey

The standard spelling is Audrey. Common variants include Audra, but Audrey is the most widely used form.

Heads-up notes

• Pop culture

  Audrey Hepburn is the overwhelming association for anyone over forty; Twin Peaks' Audrey Horne is the second strongest. Both flatter the name.

Who's worn it

Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.

• Audrey Hepburn Belgian-British actress, Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany's
• Audrey Tautou French actress, Amélie
• Saint Audrey of Ely 7th-century Anglo-Saxon abbess, source of the word 'tawdry'

Spelling variants

• Audra

Names with the same feeling

• Eloise Healthy, hardy
• Evelyn Hazelnut, or wished-for child
• Violet Violet flower
• Scarlett Bright red
• Hazel Hazel tree

See Audrey from another angle

Common questions

What does the name Audrey mean?

From Old English Æthelthryth, 'noble strength,' shortened to Audrey through centuries of compression. The patron saint Æthelthryth of Ely is the historical anchor.

What does Audrey mean in Old English?

In Old English, Audrey means "Noble strength." Audrey is the smoothed-out form of Old English Æthelthryth (æthel 'noble' + thryth 'strength'), the name of a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon princess and abbess. Her cult was popular in medieval England, where 'St. Audrey' became a contraction. Tawdry, the English word for cheap finery, comes from St. Audrey's fair, where cheap lace was sold. The name dropped after the Reformation, returned mildly in the 19th century, and surged after Audrey Hepburn lit up Roman Holiday in 1953. It's been a steady top-100 name in the US since the 2000s. Aud is the only common short and it rarely sticks.

How do you pronounce Audrey?

Audrey is pronounced ˈɔ.dri. Say it as AU-drey, with the stress on the "au" syllable.

How do you spell Audrey?

The standard spelling is Audrey. Common spelling variants include Audra.

Is Audrey a boy or girl name?

Audrey is traditionally a feminine name.

How popular is the name Audrey?

Audrey ranked #86 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.