Find out how popular the first name Aubrey has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Aubrey by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Aubrey is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 94% of people named Aubrey being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 2,573 female babies and 133 male babies born with the name Aubrey.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 133 baby boys were named Aubrey in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Aubrey

The name Aubrey has its origins in the Old French and Old Germanic languages, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Germanic root "alf" meaning "elf" or "supernatural being," combined with the Old French "bri" or "briu," meaning "ruler" or "power."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Aubrey can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name was typically given to boys during this period, reflecting the influence of Norman-French culture after the Norman conquest of England in 1066.

In the 12th century, the name Aubrey appeared in the medieval French epic poem "The Song of Roland," where it was borne by one of the protagonists, a valiant knight in Charlemagne's army. This literary reference contributed to the name's popularity and association with bravery and chivalry.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Aubrey. One of the most famous was Aubrey de Vere, a 13th-century English nobleman and crusader who participated in the Fifth and Sixth Crusades (born around 1188, died in 1263). Another prominent figure was Aubrey de Vere, a 16th-century English poet and courtier during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (born in 1540, died in 1626).

In the 17th century, the name gained further prominence with Aubrey de Vere, the 20th Earl of Oxford (born in 1627, died in 1703), a prominent English nobleman and patron of the arts. During this time, the name also became associated with the influential Aubrey family, which produced several notable figures, including John Aubrey, a 17th-century antiquarian and writer (born in 1626, died in 1697).

Another significant bearer of the name was Aubrey Beardsley, a renowned English illustrator and author from the late 19th century (born in 1872, died in 1898). His distinctive black-and-white illustrations, known for their bold and controversial style, had a lasting impact on the Art Nouveau movement.

In the 20th century, the name Aubrey continued to be used, with notable figures such as Aubrey Hepburn, a British film producer and father of the iconic actress Audrey Hepburn (born in 1905, died in 1994), and Aubrey Menen, an Indian-born British novelist and satirist (born in 1912, died in 1989).

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Aubrey was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Aubrey, please contact us.

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