Andrew

Andrew is among the most appealing classic boys' names, with more character and charm than James or John, and a host of Andrew-inspired nicknames: Andy makes it friendlier, Drew adds to its sophistication. Though it has slipped a bit, it was firmly in the Top 10 for more than two recent decades, and in one Harvard research study by sociologist Stanley Liberson it was the leading boys' name chosen by highly educated parents.

In the New Testament, Andrew was one of the twelve apostles and the first disciple to be called by Jesus and, although the origins of the name are Greek, Andrew is the patron saint of both Scotland and Russia, as well as Greece. It has associations of two of America's most famous artists, Wyeth and Warhol.

Andrew also has several appealing foreign manifestations that are sometimes used in the US, including Andre (French), Andrei (Russian), Andres (Spanish), Andrea (Italian), Andreas (German, Dutch and Greek), and Anders (Norwegian and Swedish).