Skip to content

The first name Aubrey

A unisex name from Norman meaning “elf”, “fairy”, “king”.

Pronounced /ˈɔːbɹi/ 2 syllables Unisex Also a surname

Meaning and origin

Norman origin

Aubrey means “elf”, “fairy”, “king” in Norman.

From Middle English Aubrey, Aubry, from Norman Auberi, Alberi, from Latin Alberīcus, Latinized form of Old High German Alberich, from Proto-Germanic *Albirīks, from *albiz (“elf, fairy”) + *rīks (“king, ruler”). Possibly influenced by Gaulish Albiorīx (literally "ruler of the world"). Cognates include German Alberich and Italian Alberico.

More names that mean king.

From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Popularity

Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

In 2025, 267 girls were named Aubrey, making it the 191st most popular girls’ name. It peaked in 2023, with 267 births (#189).

0150300 1996200020052010201520202025
GirlsBoys
3,117
babies named Aubrey, 1996–2025
#191
rank in 2025
2023
peak year

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Aubrey with other names.

Popularity in the United States

Babies named Aubrey at birth, 1880–2025

In 2025, 2,003 girls born in the United States were named Aubrey, the 146th most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 2012, when 8,061 were.

04,5009,000 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
GirlsBoys
164,605
babies named Aubrey since 1880
#146
rank in 2025
2012
peak year

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

Nicknames and spellings

Other spellings and forms

  • Aubreigh
  • Awbrey

Famous people named Aubrey

32 on Wikidata, most written-about first

  • Aubrey Plaza
    American actress, producer and comedian (born 1984)
  • Aubrey Beardsley
    British illustrator and author (1872–1898)
  • Aubrey de Grey
    British writer and biomedical gerontologist, born 1963
  • Aubrey Joseph
    American actor and rapper, born 1997
  • Aubrey Anderson-Emmons
    American actress, born 2007
  • Aubrey Peeples
    American actor, born 1993
  • Aubrey O'Day
    American singer and reality television personality, born 1984
  • Aubrey Dollar
    American actress, born 1980
  • Aubrey Addams
    American pornographic actress, born 1987
  • Aubrey Morris
    British actor (1926-2015)
  • Aubrey Miles
    Filipina television host, singer and actress, born 1978
  • Aubrey Huff
    American baseball player, born 1976

Questions

What does the name Aubrey mean?
Aubrey means “elf”, “fairy”, “king” in Norman.
What is the origin of the name Aubrey?
From Middle English Aubrey, Aubry, from Norman Auberi, Alberi, from Latin Alberīcus, Latinized form of Old High German Alberich, from Proto-Germanic *Albirīks, from *albiz (“elf, fairy”) + *rīks (“king, ruler”). Possibly influenced by Gaulish Albiorīx (literally "ruler of the world"). Cognates…
How popular is the name Aubrey?
In 2025, 267 girls born in England and Wales were named Aubrey, ranking 191st. Its peak was 2023, with 267 births.
Is Aubrey a boy's or a girl's name?
Both. Of the 164,605 US babies named Aubrey since 1880, 81% were girls and 19% boys.
When was Aubrey most popular?
2012 in the United States, when 8,061 babies were named Aubrey, its highest rank at 15th.
How do you pronounce Aubrey?
Aubrey is /ˈɔːbɹi/, 2 syllables.
What are other spellings of Aubrey?
Aubreigh and Awbrey.
Is Aubrey also a surname?
Yes. Aubrey is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.