Aubrey

Usually interpreted as “ruler of elves”, through Alberich.

Aubrey is usually understood as “ruler of elves”, through the Germanic name Alberich. It reached English through Old French Auberi, brought to England by the Normans. The elf element gives the name an imaginative connection to folklore, while its English use includes both girls and boys. In English, Aubrey has two syllables with the emphasis at the beginning. The b gives a small, firm centre to the sound before the lighter ending. That balance can feel polished without being elaborate. The old name behind it and the elfin meaning add a storybook quality to an otherwise compact choice. Aubrey and Audrey are only one letter apart, but they are different names with different roots. If you are comparing the two, the b in Aubrey is worth noticing: it belongs to this name’s sound and identity, rather than being an alternative spelling of Audrey.

Etymology: An English name from Old French Auberi, a form of the Germanic name Alberich. Its elements refer to an elf and a ruler; the Normans brought the French form to England.