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

Popularity of Drea by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Drea is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 27 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Drea.

The history of the first name Drea

The given name Drea is believed to have originated from the Old English word "drearig," which means "dreary" or "sorrowful." It is a feminine form of the name Andrew, which has Greek roots and means "manly" or "brave." The name Drea likely emerged as a diminutive or shortened version of Andrew in the medieval period.

Drea was a relatively uncommon name in ancient times, but it gained popularity in certain regions of Europe during the Middle Ages. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Drea can be found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript record of landholders in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The book mentions a woman named Drea who resided in the county of Oxfordshire.

In the 12th century, a French noblewoman named Drea de Montfort was a prominent figure during the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathars in southern France. She was known for her fierce loyalty to the Catholic Church and her role in the siege of the city of Toulouse.

During the Renaissance period, Drea was the name of an Italian painter and engraver who lived in the 16th century. Drea di Nittis, born in 1541, was renowned for her landscape paintings depicting the countryside around Rome.

In the 18th century, Drea von Buren was a German botanist and naturalist who made significant contributions to the study of plant taxonomy. She was born in 1720 and published several influential works on the classification of plants during her lifetime.

In more recent history, Drea Barnes was an American poet and activist who lived from 1892 to 1976. She was a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance movement and advocated for civil rights and social justice through her poetry and writings.

While the name Drea has been used throughout history, it has remained relatively uncommon compared to other names. Its origins can be traced back to Old English and medieval times, and it has been borne by notable individuals in various fields, including nobility, art, science, and literature.

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 Drea was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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