Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Audrey

The name Audrey originates from an Old English female first name Ǽðelprðy which, broken apart, means “æðel” (noble) and “pryð” (strength). The Old English name is borne by a popular 7th century saint commonly known as Etheldreda (Latinized form of Ǽðelprðy) or simply by the pet form, Audrey. St. Audrey (as she is commonly known) maintained her virginity through two marriages, ultimately escaping the advances of her second husband and founded an abbey where she lived out her life devoted to Christianity. The name was popular in the Middle Ages and used by Shakespeare in his 1623 comedy, “As You Like It.” Ultimately, the name fell out of favor but was revived again in the 19th century.

All About the Baby Name – Audrey

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME AUDREY

The number 11 is a Master Number, and embodies heightened traits of the Two. This personality is on a life journey to find spiritual truth. They are extremely idealistic and intuitive. Elevens have a rare and exceptional spiritual energy that brings a sense of obligation to illuminate the world around them. It's a very powerful responsibility, but these people have far more potential than they know. It's important that they surrender to higher ideals. They have the capacity to see the bigger picture, and they possess the skills to inspire others spiritually. Elevens have strong diplomatic skills and can become great peacemakers. Master numbers can be both a blessing and a curse, as they walk the fine line between greatness and the potential for self-destruction.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME AUDREY

The name Audrey has maintained relatively moderate success for over 100 years in America. The name was quite popular in the 1920’s and 1930’s but then lost some luster until it was revived again at the turn of the 21st century. Since 2002, the name has re-entered the Top 100 most favored names for girls, and it has achieved its highest position on the charts in the past three years. In 2001, the famous country singing duo, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw named their third daughter Audrey (which, incidentally, is also the first name of Faith Hill herself). This may have had some impact. The association of the name Audrey with Audrey Hepburn lends the name femininity, kindness and class.

Quick Facts

ON AUDREY

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

32

PRONUNCIATION:

AW-dree

SIMPLE MEANING:

Noble strength

Characteristics

OF AUDREY

Inspirational

Highly Intuitive

Spiritual Teacher

Extremely Bright

Uplifting

Truth-seeker

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Audrey

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME AUDREY

Audrey is a minor character in Shakespeare’s 1623 light comedy “As You Like It.” She is one of the forest inhabitants where Rosalind travels with her cousin Celia and the jester Touchstone. Audrey is a simple, country girl who is not particularly bright but lovely enough to catch the eye of two interested suitors, Touchstone and another forest dweller William. Touchstone, who runs linguistic circles around everyone for much of the play, manages to get rid of his competition and marries Audrey in the end. Given their difference in intellect, Touchstone and Audrey are obviously two people in lust rather than love.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME AUDREY

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Audrey


Popular Songs

ON AUDREY

Audrey
a song by Amber Oak

Audrey's Eyes
a song by Velocity Girl

Audrey, Start the Revolution!
a song by Anberlin

Paging Audrey
a song by Walter Becker

Song for Audrey
a song by Backseat Goodbye

Famous People

NAMED AUDREY

Audrey Hepburn (actress)
Audrey Faith Perry (aka Faith Hill, country singer)
Audrey Tautou (French actress)
Audrey Wells (director)
Audrey Munson (model/actress)
Audrey Hepburn (actress)
Audrey Faith Perry (aka Faith Hill, country singer)
Audrey Tautou (French actress)
Audrey Wells (director)
Audrey Munson (model/actress)
Audrey Hepburn (actress)
Audrey Faith Perry (aka Faith Hill, country singer)
Audrey Tautou (French actress)
Audrey Wells (director)
Audrey Munson (model/actress)

Children of Famous People

NAMED AUDREY

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Audrey

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME AUDREY

Also known as Saint Etheldreda, St. Audrey was an Anglo-Saxon princess and daughter of King Anna of East Anglia. Despite taking a perpetual vow of virginity, she married twice. The first time she was widowed after three short years, and the second time, her husband changed his mind about wanting to consummate the marriage. She refused. Forced to flee with her husband hot on her trail, legend has it that a miraculous seven day high tide separated her husband from reaching her. Using her “noble strength,” she managed to escape and founded the great abbey of Ely where she was able to live out her strictly religious life. She died circa 680 from a tumor on her neck, which she gratefully accepted as divine punishment for her vanity in wearing necklaces in her youth. In the Middle Ages a fair in Ely was held in her name where lace neckerchiefs of poor quality were sold. This is how the word “tawdry” entered the English lexicon, a corruption of the name “Audrey,” to describe the shoddy merchandise. Her Feast Day is June 23 and she is the patron saint of throat and neck complaints.

Also known as Saint Etheldreda, St. Audrey was an Anglo-Saxon princess and daughter of King Anna of East Anglia. Despite taking a perpetual vow of virginity, she married twice. The first time she was widowed after three short years, and the second time, her husband changed his mind about wanting to consummate the marriage. She refused. Forced to flee with her husband hot on her trail, legend has it that a miraculous seven day high tide separated her husband from reaching her. Using her “noble strength,” she managed to escape and founded the great abbey of Ely where she was able to live out her strictly religious life. She died circa 680 from a tumor on her neck, which she gratefully accepted as divine punishment for her vanity in wearing necklaces in her youth. In the Middle Ages a fair in Ely was held in her name where lace neckerchiefs of poor quality were sold. This is how the word “tawdry” entered the English lexicon, a corruption of the name “Audrey,” to describe the shoddy merchandise. Her Feast Day is June 23 and she is the patron saint of throat and neck complaints.

Also known as Saint Etheldreda, St. Audrey was an Anglo-Saxon princess and daughter of King Anna of East Anglia. Despite taking a perpetual vow of virginity, she married twice. The first time she was widowed after three short years, and the second time, her husband changed his mind about wanting to consummate the marriage. She refused. Forced to flee with her husband hot on her trail, legend has it that a miraculous seven day high tide separated her husband from reaching her. Using her “noble strength,” she managed to escape and founded the great abbey of Ely where she was able to live out her strictly religious life. She died circa 680 from a tumor on her neck, which she gratefully accepted as divine punishment for her vanity in wearing necklaces in her youth. In the Middle Ages a fair in Ely was held in her name where lace neckerchiefs of poor quality were sold. This is how the word “tawdry” entered the English lexicon, a corruption of the name “Audrey,” to describe the shoddy merchandise. Her Feast Day is June 23 and she is the patron saint of throat and neck complaints.