Andreu

Meaning & origin

Andreu is an uncommon given name in the United States, where it primarily appears among families with Catalan or Occitan roots. Since its first recorded use in U.S. Social Security data in 1987, the name has maintained a stable but very low frequency. Its peak year of usage was 2019, though it has never ranked among the top 1000 names. Andreu lacks a high one-in-N ratio, reflecting its rarity. The name is essentially the Catalan equivalent of Andrew, carrying the same connotations of manliness and bravery. While it may occasionally be used as a surname or a variant spelling of Andreo, its given-name usage remains niche. Parents choosing Andreu are often honoring Catalan heritage or seeking a distinctive alternative to more common Andrew derivatives.

Andreu is the Catalan and Occitan form of Andrew, which derives from the Greek name Andreas, ultimately from andros meaning 'man' or 'masculine.' The name has been used in Catalonia, Valencia, the Balearic Islands, and Occitania since the Middle Ages, often honoring Saint Andrew, the apostle. Its usage in the United States is rare but has appeared in modest numbers since the late 20th century, likely from families with Catalan heritage.