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

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.