UK boy's name
Drey
A diminutive form of Andrew, meaning "manly" or "brave" of Greek origin.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2018. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Drey is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Drey popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2693, with 7 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2018, with 7 births.
This profile covers 59 England and Wales registrations across 14 recorded years from 1999 to 2018. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Drey is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 59 living people in the UK are called Drey. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2019 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Drey ranked #2693 for boys in England and Wales in 2018, with 7 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2018, when 7 boys were registered as Drey.
- • About 59 living people in the UK are estimated to have Drey as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2693
2018
Births in 2018
7
Latest year
Peak year
2018
7 births
Estimated living
59
2026
Meaning
What does Drey mean?
The name Drey finds its origins in the Germanic languages, with its roots dating back to the early medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old High German word "drau," which translates to "brave" or "courageous." This name was initially prevalent among the tribes of modern-day Germany and surrounding regions.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Drey can be found in the Nibelungenlied, an epic poem from the 13th century. In this literary work, Drey was the name of a valiant warrior who fought alongside the renowned hero Siegfried. This association with bravery and heroism may have contributed to the name's popularity during that era.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Drey. One such figure was Drey von Andechs (1180-1237), a German nobleman and crusader who participated in the Fifth Crusade. His exploits and leadership during the crusades earned him recognition and respect among his contemporaries.
In the realm of literature, Drey Heyward (1886-1976) was an American author and playwright, best known for his novel "Porgy," which later inspired the opera "Porgy and Bess." His work shed light on the African American experience in the early 20th century and contributed significantly to the cultural landscape of the time.
Another prominent figure was Drey Scholes (1920-2002), a British computer scientist and mathematician. Scholes played a crucial role in the development of early computer systems and programming languages, contributing significantly to the field of computer science during its formative years.
In the world of sports, Drey Becker (1926-2012) was a legendary German footballer who played as a striker for Bayern Munich and the German national team. He was part of the West German squad that won the 1954 FIFA World Cup, cementing his place in the annals of football history.
While the name Drey has its roots in the Germanic languages, it has also found use in other cultures and regions over time. However, its core meaning and association with bravery and courage remain consistent throughout its history, reflecting the enduring legacy of this ancient name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Drey over time
The chart below shows babies named Drey registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 to 2018. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Drey, the clearest high point is 2018. The latest England and Wales figure is 7 births in 2018, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Drey by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Drey was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #3315 | 37 | 7 |
| 2000s | #3406 | 19 | 6 |
| 1990s | #2943 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Drey
- Daniel 120,900
- Dylan 60,836
- David 37,852
- Dominic 20,480
- Declan 11,657
- Dexter 11,627
- Danny 8,434
- Dean 5,329
- Dillon 4,113
- Douglas 3,773
- Dominik 3,494
- Damian 3,486
FAQ
Drey: questions and answers
How popular is the name Drey in the UK right now?
In 2018, Drey was ranked #2693 for boys in England and Wales, with 7 births registered.
When was Drey most popular?
The peak year on record was 2018, with 7 babies registered as Drey in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Drey?
A diminutive form of Andrew, meaning "manly" or "brave" of Greek origin.
How many people are called Drey in the UK?
A total of 59 babies have been registered as Drey across the 14 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.