Andrej

Meaning of Andrej

Andrej is the Slavic variant of the classical Greek Andreas, derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *andr– meaning “man.” Predominantly used in Czech and Russian contexts—both pronounced AHN-dray—it bridges Latin and Cyrillic traditions with negligible phonetic shift. Historically, the name inherits the apostolic stature of St. Andrew, connoting resilience and disciplined fortitude, qualities reflected in modern figures such as Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. In the United States, Andrej registers about 10–18 newborns per year and has held a rank near 900 in Social Security data for the past decade, indicating a steady but specialized presence. While it never dethrones its more mainstream cousin Andrew, Andrej sidesteps the crowded field of A-names with disciplined reserve, making it a technically precise choice for parents seeking international pedigree and understated distinction.