The name Andrei is a masculine given name of Greek origin, derived from the ancient Greek name Andreas, which translates to "manly" or "brave." It is a variant of the name Andrew, which has its roots in the Greek word "aner," meaning "man."

The name gained popularity during the early Christian era, as it was borne by one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, known as Saint Andrew. In the New Testament, Andrew is depicted as the brother of Simon Peter and was among the first disciples to follow Jesus.

Andrei has been a widely used name in various cultures throughout history, particularly in Eastern Europe and Russia, where it has been a popular choice for centuries. The Russian form of the name, Andrei, has been in use since the 10th century and has been borne by several notable figures, including Andrei Rublev, a renowned Russian icon painter from the 15th century.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Andrei can be found in the Primary Chronicle, an early Russian manuscript dating back to the 12th century, which mentions Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, a prominent ruler of the Principality of Vladimir-Suzdal in the late 12th century.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have carried the name Andrei. These include:

1. Andrei Sakharov (1921-1989), a Soviet nuclear physicist, dissident, and human rights activist, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1975.
2. Andrei Tarkovsky (1932-1986), a Soviet filmmaker widely regarded as one of the most influential directors in the history of cinema, known for his poetic and philosophical films such as "Solaris" and "Stalker."
3. Andrei Gromyko (1909-1989), a Soviet diplomat and politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for an unprecedented 28 years, from 1957 to 1985.
4. Andrei Chikatilo (1936-1994), a notorious Soviet serial killer known as the "Butcher of Rostov," who was convicted of murdering 53 women and children between 1978 and 1990.
5. Andrei Zhdanov (1896-1948), a Soviet politician and ideologist who played a prominent role in shaping the cultural policies of the Soviet Union during the Stalin era.

While the name Andrei has maintained its popularity in Eastern Europe and Russia, it has also gained recognition in other parts of the world, particularly in countries with strong cultural ties to these regions.