Meaning & History
Andra 1 is a feminine given name used primarily in Estonia and Latvia. It is the feminine form of the Latvian name Andrejs or the Estonian name Andres, both of which derive from Andrew.
Etymology
The name ultimately traces back to the Greek name Ἀνδρέας (Andreas), which comes from ἀνδρεῖος (andreios) meaning "manly, masculine," a derivative of ἀνήρ (aner) meaning "man." In the Bible, Andrew is the first apostle called by Jesus and the brother of Peter. Though now common across the Christian world, the name was Saint Andrew's original name (likely a Hellenized version of his true Hebrew name) and he is the patron saint of Scotland, Russia, Greece, and Romania.
Cultural Context
In Estonia, common masculine forms include Andres, Andrus, and Anti; in Latvia, Andrejs and Andris. Andra 1 is the direct feminine equivalent in both languages. Variant names like Andrea 2, Andriana, and Andreja 1 show the wide range of the root across Northern, Southern, and Eastern Europe.
- Meaning: manly, masculine (feminine form of Andrew)
- Origin: Greek, via Latvian/Estonian
- Type: feminine given name
- Usage regions: Estonia, Latvia