What Does the Name Aubrey Mean?
Aubrey is a girl's name of Germanic (via Norman French) origin meaning “elf ruler / elf power.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Aubrey |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Germanic (via Norman French) |
| Meaning | elf ruler / elf power |
| Variants | Aubree, Aubrie, Aubry, Alberich |
| Popularity | Top 20 US girls' name in the 2010s. |
The meaning and origin of Aubrey
The name Aubrey means “elf ruler / elf power” and has Germanic (via Norman French) origins. From the Norman French Auberi, derived from the Germanic Alberich, combining alb 'elf' and ric 'power, ruler.' Historically a male name, it shifted to predominantly female use in the US from the 1970s, aided by its resemblance to Audrey.
Variants and related names
Aubrey is related to several other names you may recognize: Aubree, Aubrie, Aubry, Alberich. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Aubrey?
Top 20 US girls' name in the 2010s.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Aubrey mean?+
The name Aubrey means “elf ruler / elf power” and is of Germanic (via Norman French) origin.
What is the origin of the name Aubrey?+
Aubrey originates from Germanic (via Norman French).
Is Aubrey a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Aubrey has trended in the US over time.
Aubrey by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press