Meaning: Its source is Andreas, a Greek name meaning "Manly."

Origin: "Andreas."

Languages: This boy's name is used in Scots Gaelic.

Narrative: The manliness this name refers to has nothing to do with aftershave or matinee idols. It refers to the duties of a male in the patriarchal society of ancient Greece. The first duty of a man was to protect his home, and this name is sometimes translated as ''warrior.''

In the Christian scriptures, this was the name of one Jesus' first disciples, a brother to Simon Peter. Though he figures in a few Biblical stories, the traditions about his missionary travels after the resurrection are extensive. In fact, Christians in the far-flung regions of Greece, Russia and Scotland all look to him as their patron saint.

Meaning: Its source is Andreas, a Greek name meaning "Manly."

Origin: "Andreas."

Narrative: There is some dispute about the origin of Andrea as a feminine name, which only made its appearance among English speakers in the 17th century.

It may have been developed by the Scots directly from the English Andrew, the name of their patron saint, without reference to the Greek Andreas. Or it may have been derived independently from the Greek vocabulary word andreia (meaning ''manly'' or ''warrior'') that is the common ancestor of all these names.

Whatever its origins, it has enjoyed wide popularity among all English speakers in the 20th century.