Andrew

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A male given name of Greek origin meaning "manly" or "brave"; a common first name used in English-speaking countries; also associated with various historical and cultural figures
2. A traditional masculine personal name derived from the Greek for "courageous" or "strong"; frequently encountered as a proper noun in English contexts; linked to saints and notable personalities
3. A popular male forename rooted in Greek meaning "manly"; widely recognized in English and other languages; often connected with religious and cultural significance through famous namesakes

Etymology: Andrew is one of the few English first names whose meaning is written into its grammar of origin: it comes from Ancient Greek "Andréas", built on "anēr", the word for "man" in the sense of a grown male rather than a human being in general. The same root gives "andreios", "manly", so the name is essentially a Greek adjective turned into a personal name. The name's fame comes from Saint Andrew, one of the twelve apostles and the brother of Simon Peter. Andrew was the first disciple called to follow Jesus, and the Gospels record him bringing his brother to Jesus. Tradition holds that he was crucified on an X-shaped cross, which is why the saltire, a diagonal cross, became the emblem of Scotland and the basis of the Saint Andrew's cross. The name reached English through Latin "Andreas" and entered Old English in that form. Its spread across Europe produced a family of doublets: "André" in French, "Andreas" in German and Scandinavian languages, "Andrei" in Romanian, and "Andrey" in Russian, all descended from the same Greek source.