Meaning & History
Dru is a unisex given name in English usage, primarily functioning as a variant of Drew. As such, it can serve as a short form of the male name Andrew or, less commonly, as a feminine diminutive of names like Drusilla or Drucilla. While often considered a nickname, Dru has also been adopted as an independent given name.
Etymology and Linguistic Roots
The name's lineage traces through Drew to Andrew, which derives from the Greek name Ἀνδρέας (Andreas). This ultimately comes from the Greek word ἀνδρεῖος (andreios) meaning "manly, masculine," itself derived from ἀνήρ (aner), meaning "man." Andrew is a biblical name—in the New Testament, Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter and the first disciple to follow Jesus. According to tradition, he preached in the Black Sea region and was martyred on an X-shaped cross, later becoming the patron saint of Scotland, Russia, Greece, and Romania.
Usage and Cultural Context
Dru remains relatively rare compared to its longer forms or the variant Drew. It shares a pronunciation with "drew" and is sometimes chosen as a modern, streamlined alternative. Notable bearers include Dru on Wikipedia (if any) and Dru in Wiktionary, but the name is not historically widespread. The form Jrue (via spelling variation) and other diminutives like Andie and Andy are related. Cross-culturally, cognates include Andreas (Welsh), Andrei (Russian), and Ander (Basque).
- Meaning: Variant of Drew, ultimately from Greek “manly, masculine”
- Origin: English diminutive of Andrew
- Type: Unisex (mostly masculine, occasionally feminine)
- Usage: English-speaking countries
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Dru