Boy
Andrei
English
Meaning
Its source is Andreas, a Greek name meaning "Manly."
Languages used in
This boy's name is used in Russian, Serbian, Croatian and Romanian.
Background story
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.