Gender Feminine
Pronounced Pron. AWD-ree(English) O-DREH(French)  [key·IPA]

Meaning & History

Medieval diminutive of Æðelþryð. This was the name of a 7th-century saint, a princess of East Anglia who founded a monastery at Ely. It was also used by William Shakespeare for a character in his comedy As You Like It (1599). At the end of the Middle Ages the name became rare due to association with the word tawdry (which was derived from St. Audrey, the name of a fair where cheap lace was sold), but it was revived in the 19th century. A famous bearer was British actress Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993).

Related Names

VariantsAudra, Audrea(English)
DiminutiveAudie(English)
Other Languages & CulturesÆðelþryð, Æthelthryth(Anglo-Saxon) Aldreda, Etheldred, Etheldreda(Medieval English)

People think this name is

classic   formal   upper class   natural   wholesome   refined   strange   simple   serious  

Name Days

France: June 23

Categories

Entry updated June 9, 2023