Aubrey comes from the Old German name Alberich, which is composed of the Old Germanic elements alb, meaning "elf," and rih, meaning "ruler" or "king." Therefore, it translates to "elf ruler." Originally reserved for boys, as is the case with famous rapper Drake (real name Aubrey Graham), the name has since grown more popular among girls and was a top 100 girl's name in the U.S. every year between 2006 and 2022. Musician Shay Mooney and his wife, Hannah Billingsley, turned the tables by naming their son Aubrey Ellis, born in January 2025.
