Andrei

Andrei is a masculine given name of Slavic origin. It is the Slavic form of Andrew, which ultimately derives from the Greek name Andreas, meaning "manly" or "brave." The name has many regional variants, including Andrej, Andrey, Andrée, and Andre, and is used in countries such as Romania, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Serbia, among others. In Romanian and Moldovan contexts, Andrei is particularly common; in Russian and Ukrainian, Andrei is the standard form.

In addition to its linguistic role, the name has historical and cultural resonance in Christian Europe, linked to Saint Andrew, the apostle associated with the spread of Christianity in various regions. The name's continued use reflects long-standing religious and cultural traditions in Eastern Europe and the wider Orthodox world.

Notable individuals named Andrei include the filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky; the 15th-century icon painter Andrei Rublev; the nuclear physicist and dissident Andrei Sakharov; the Soviet diplomat Andrei Gromyko; the Russian basketball player Andrei Kirilenko; and the Russian footballer Andrei Arshavin.