Hi Swistle,
I know you must be inundated with name requests but wonder if you would be able to provide even just a brief explanation of the vibe you feel for the name Audra. My husband and I are seriously considering it for our baby girl but aren’t able to rule it in or out definitively as it is uncommon and not a name we heard before we started looking at baby names.
I have seen you list it as an option in many of your posts but it’s unclear to me the reason it is suggested. I have read its entry in “The Baby Name Wizard” book and am still uncertain. Is it vintage-y? Sort of a modern classic? I have scoured baby name forums and can’t really pinpoint the vibe that it presents to most people. I have test driven the name to friends and strangers – reactions are mostly neutral, as it seems most people are unfamiliar with the name but there have been effusive reactions among them “gorgeous!”. We are in Canada so I don’t know if it’s more known in the US but I would assume it’s similar. I suppose my question is very similar to your recent post “Baby Name to Discuss: Gemma.”
Thank you so much for reading!
Oh, yes, this is another good one to get a collective response on. I think I tend to suggest Audra when it feels like the parents are looking for a name that is approachable and not too difficult to pronounce or spell, yet not a modern invented name, and also not something they’re likely to encounter in the wild. It’s familiar from the similar-sounding name Audrey; and when I encountered it on the one person I’ve ever encountered it on, I found it easy to learn.
The one Audra I know of has a brother named Ev@n, which to me indicates that the parents have a different style for boy names than for girl names. I’d be more curious to know what sister names we’ve heard of for Audra.
I don’t have a strong feeling about the name’s style. I would put it with other unusual choices such as Gemma, Willa, Bianca, Nadia. For popularity reasons alone, I wouldn’t put it with Sophia, Olivia, etc., but I don’t think those are a style clash. I would be similarly unlikely to put it with names such as Elizabeth, Catherine, Margaret—but again, I wouldn’t say it was a clash. I would say it clashes with modern unisex sister names such as Bailey, Riley, Logan, Ryan, Everly. Well, and not just the unisex ones, because I would also say it clashes with names such as Brinley, Kinsley, Paisley, Keelyn.
According to the Social Security Administration, the name’s usage in the United States has been fairly rare, and it’s been out of the Top 1000 for over two decades. There’s an interesting little thing where it dropped out of the Top 1000 in 1939, and then reappeared in 1966 already at #283—a very sudden and successful reappearance! I searched online for “Audra 1965” and found it was the name of a character played by Linda Evans on the TV show The Big Valley, which aired from 1965-1969. The name hung around for awhile in the 200s/300s/400s ranks, dropping out of the Top 500 by the late 1980s, and then out of the Top 1000 a little over a decade later. In 2023, the name Audra was given to 108 new baby girls in the U.S.; that’s similar to the current usage of the names Mildred, Odessa, and Yvette.
For those of you who don’t have your copy of The Baby Name Wizard at hand, here is the entry for Audra:
This pretty, old-fashioned name had its revival 25 years ahead of the pack. Audra is the only name you’ll find in both the Stately Antiques and ’70s-’80s categories. The result is a name that can fit with many different styles but truly stands alone.
It’s odd to me that it WOULD be in the ’70s-’80s category, since Audra’s absolute highest rank during those years was #300; its lowest was #579. Filing it with the other popular names from that era (Melissa, Michelle, Amy, Nicole, Kimberly) doesn’t make much sense; and it doesn’t seem like a Mom Name to me now, the way those other former hits do. (Pretty soon we’re going to have to start calling those Grandma Names.) The one Audra I know was born in the late 1990s.
How does the name Audra strike YOU? Where WOULD you file it? What sister names would you imagine it going with? Do you know any real-life Audras, and do they have siblings, especially sisters?
I have known one Audra, she’d be close to 40 now. No sisters, but two older brothers names Emory and Shannon. I have never been able to pin down a “vibe” for it because I associate it so closely with “Emory & Shannon for boys”.
I think immediately of beautiful talented glamorous stage star Audra MacDonald and I love it! I think of it as high drama and slightly unexpected. Would be thrilled to hear this on a little girl.
SAME
I know an early 80s Audr@ and her sister’s name is Cassie (different spelling).
I was always fascinated by her name because her surname was Maddox (different spelling), making her name sound like Automatic. I always thought, “Surely the parents said the full name aloud and heard that, right? And still chose it?” I don’t think it’s bad, though, and I quite liked the name Audra. I’ve never met another.
Audra immediately made me think old Hollywood glamour, for some reason. I’ve never met an Audra in real life, but it’s beautiful.
Audra McDonald immediately springs to mind. I consider her a household name, but maybe that’s not reality but wishful thinking…
Same, I immediately think of Audra McDonald, who os a goodess, and when thinking of the name alone I find it delightful. A fresh variation on Audrey.
This came up when baby naming 14 years ago! Was looking at family names and discussing Adra with my husband and he said no – teenage him apparently dated an Audra. He was born in the early half of the 70s, for reference.
The Canadain government now posts their name data like the US. Audra was given to 6 girls in 2022 (last available year):
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1710014701
I like it because it feels on trend with all of the Islas and Evelyns by being vowel heavy. I think of the singer Audra McDonald which isn’t a bad association.
Writer with the initial question here. Thank you fellow Canadian! Audra ranked #2727 (6 babies) in Canada for the year 2022, compared to #1922 in the US (US data for 2023 available before Canada, showing 108 babies, up from 103 the previous year).
I prefer this format of the Canadian data, which is a easier to toggle around in and visualize trends:
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/71-607-x/71-607-x2023021-eng.htm
I know an early 50s Audra and a 10 year old Audra with a sister Cecelia.
I think it’s tailored feminine and sophisticated , so sister names are Sybil, Lorna, Vivian, Maren, Lina, Linnea, Delia, Camille, Esme, Celeste. You are not really era bound with Audra but it might be hard to pair with another girls name. It’s very beautiful though.
Agree! I think Audra would pair well with “old school Hollywood” style names.
I do know an Audra who is around 11-13 years old. She has a sister Gabriella.
When her parents named her it was the first time I had heard the name and I thought it was beautiful (still do).
We have an 11-year-old Audra. Her sister is Elyse. We love the name, though when she’s first introduced some people hear “Audrey”… usually after the first correction it’s fine. I knew an Audra growing up (she’d be in her early 40s now) whose sister is Danielle.
Thank you for taking the time to comment! How often does she get mistaken for Audrey? This is the only aspect of the name that makes me hesitant to use it…
There is an Audra in my extended family. She was born in 1980. Her younger brothers are named Adam and Aaron. I think her parents chose the name after they heard it on the popular TV show “Big Valley”.
it seems to me that the name Audra would work well today for parents seeking a name that stands out and yet fits in. While Audra is still rare, Audrey is being heard more these days. I know a couple who recently named their baby girl Audrey. She too has two brothers with straightforward, no nicknames or alternate spellings names. (The children in this family also all have names beginning with A.)
I would categorize the name Audra as sticking out yet fitting in; short names with no usual nickname or alternative spellings; with some positive historical/traditional association. (Saint Audrey—> Audra.).
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HI! My name is Audra Nicole – born 2/29/80. My mom got the name Audra from the Old Western TV show “Big Valley”.
I knew a 4 year old who was born in the year 2000. She’d be 24 now! Her family was Russian. She was in a class with girls named Alexa, Breelyn, and Katie and I remember being utterly charmed by these names.
I know a college age Audra with a sister Phoebe. I love the name, it’s a little retro but not old lady.
Phoebe is a perfect sister name for Audra!
To me it just sounds like a variation on Audrey. I would probably assume the parents liked Audrey but found it too popular.
In case you’re interested, I have an acquaintance with a daughter named Auzra. Very similar, but gives you the adorable nickname Auzzie if you want it.
I know a real life Audra. Went to church and school with her in Illinois. She’s about 48 now. Her younger sister is Alison. A lot later I learned there was an Audra MacDonald in show biz / Broadway and she’s just a little bit older, so same generation for sure. At the time I met Audra, being in elementary school, lots of names were new to me so it was just a normal girl name and she was happy to not be another Jennifer, Stephanie, Angie, or Kimberly.
In the 80’s, Audra was the child anchor on the Nickelodeon news show Kids’ Beat. (“I’m Audra Lee, and this is Kids’ Beat!”) I know one other, in her 40s. I agree with the above comment that Audra fits with a “tailored & sophisticated” set like Sybil, Lorna, Vivian, Maren,….Linnea, Delia, Esme….
I like it, but Audrey feels better to my ear. Still, I’d be thrilled to meet a baby Audra. Esp in a world of Locksleys & Hadleys.
I know one, born late 60s/early 70s. I think it’s really timeless though. I love it, and it was on my list!
Have never seen the name before, that I can recall. But I like it, partly because I instantly know how to pronounce it. It feels like someone looked at Audrey/Ada/Alexandra/Nora and said, okay, then Audra.
Of the names folks mentioned, I especially like it with Vivian, Sybil, and Celeste [Jd’s comment].
To me, I feel like Daphne and Yvonne also work– familiar but never wildly popular, currently rare, slightly old fashioned, perhaps a bit glamorous/feminine, but not overly frilly.
It’s a name I would feel good having for myself or considering for a daughter.
Some Audras from the entertainment world:
Audra McDonald (b. 1970) has a younger sister named Alison and daughters named Zoe and Sally. Her parents are Anna and Stanley.
Audra Mari (b. 1994) is a former beauty pageant contestant and wife to Josh Duhamel.
Audra Lindley (1918-1997) played Mrs. Roper on Three’s Company among other roles in a long career.
Abby from Appellation Mountain recently wrote about the name Audra.
Mrs Roper!!!
My co-worker named her baby girl Audra back in 2008. Namesake was her grandmother Audrey and kind of a smush with my co-workers name (think Eva.) Bonus points achieved when it was actually a real name.
I unfortunately sort of associate Audra with Audrina (of My Sweet infamy), it makes me think of hair that magically changes color. And also Stephen King’s IT, I think Stuttering Bill’s wife was named Audra.
Audra does have a country, vintage vibe. I picture an energetic little girl seeking adventures who cleans up well when the occasion demands it. I picture an Audra growing up to be archeologist, international spy, or homesteader.
To me, Audra pairs well with
Willow, Myrtle, Coral, Tamsin
or
Jethro, Cyrus, Wyatt, Leo, wayne
I only know one Audra personally (online friend, born in 1982 in Texas but lives in Australia). When I asked her about her name, she said that she was named after as n older relative and likes her name, however she gets „Audrey?“ or even „Aurora“ a lot. For me it falls into a ild-fashioned yet somehow also timeless and classic category. Fwiw her older sister‘s name is Mary after one of her grandmothers (I think).
Audra is really a lovely name. Not cutsey but fiminine, yet strong and a “real” name. I don’t think of it as vintage at all. I feel like it would develope from the 40″s name of Audrey…or was Audrey even earlier than that? (and Audrey, I think was popular because of Audrey Hepburn and I’ve never come across another) I really am drawn to Audra and suggest you use it. If I wasn’t done with babies, it would be on my list!
The name feels a little drab to me- maybe because I have never heard of the celebrity/tv associations. I would categorize it was Maura, Deena, and Norah. Fine but Forgettable?
I see Audra as a classic name, more elegant than Audrey and similar to Claire, Lara, Jane, Elise. Straight forward classy feminine names without too many frills.
I knew one Audra in real life, she’d be in her 90s now, husband was Ted. In Australia we had a MasterChef contestant Audra in her 40s.
I adore the name Audra!
I had an amazing coworker with that name, so I have a lot of positive connections to it. Nice, thoughtful, great to work with. She is in her early 30s.
Audra is technically uncommon but still familiar… similar to Audrey but more “fresh” sounding.
I highly recommend it for a baby girl name list.
I know an Audra and her siblings are Emmett and Eliza. I love all individually and as a sibling set!
I knew a 1982 Audra growing up and have always loved it! As others note, it feels sophisticated and old Hollywood to me- same feeling for me as a name like Vivian.
I’ve known two Audras – one around 25 and one around 12, and it definitely strikes me as feeling like a modern twist on Audrey, yet somehow simultaneously more old school and like a classic lady. Willa and Lilla strike me very similarly in that regard.
The older Audra has a brother with a pretty basic name that I don’t remember. The younger one has sisters with eclectic unusual names – unusual enough as a set that I don’t want to list them for privacy, but think Mercy, Corinne, and Lilliane.
I’ve only known one person named Audra and she’d be in her 30s now.
I almost named my oldest daughter Audra, but ultimately decided on Cora instead.
I don’t think Audra has ever had a presence as a name in the UK. In fact, Dark Greener suggests there have been 14 baby Audras IN TOTAL since 1996. So to English ears it sounds like Audrey mispronounced, I remember meeting an Audra when I lived in the US and thinking it was a made-up name based on Audrey. Audra McDonald might have increased familiarity a smidge since then though.
So it’s fascinating to hear that it has a fairly established history in the US.
I’ve never met an Audra. The one Audrey I know (about 20 years old) has a younger sister named Daphne.
The only Audra I know has a sister named Emma!
I really like the name. The only real life Audra I know has two sisters named Morgan and Jordan, which is interesting….those names are gender neutral while Audra is very feminine. Idk. I think it could fit in many styles, but particularly either feminine “vowel” names like Ava, Elise, Isabelle, etc., or 70s/80s names like Cassidy, Jillian, etc.
That’s especially interesting because I feel like Audrey would have been a decent fit with that sibset. Not that Audrey is actually gender neutral, but it sort of has that feel to it – it looks like it should go with Aubrey, Avery, Sidney, Cassidy…
I love the name! My spouse has a coworker named Audra. On our overlapping work-from-home days, I always get a name nerd dopamine hit when I hear her name spoken in the background. :) No clue about any siblings, but I’d love to know.
I like that the name is Audrey-adjacent, and to me it goes well with a lot of other classic-vintagey, slightly quirky names. I’d be delighted to meet a little Audra. As far as vibes … I’d say – warm, smart, nature-y and classy at the same time. It’s a unique name that feels familiar enough to be approachable and not have spelling or pronunciation issues. I can imagine it on a lot of little kid personality types, and my spouse’s coworker Audra seems bright, competent, and enjoyable to collaborate with! So there you go. :) Please update us!
A coworker had a baby daughter Audra a few years ago. Prior to that, I’d never heard of the name, so to me it seemed vaguely made-up, like someone wanting to use Audrey but wanting something more unique. But my coworker said she chose the name for a favorite singer of hers (Audra McDonald). Once I saw it as a real name with real history, I started to like it more and more.
It’s a beautiful name that would age well. It’s easy to picture a baby Audra, kid Audra, grown up Audra, etc. I think it’s spelled in a way that’s intuitive (I can’t really think of another way one could spell it), easy to pronounce, and sounds nice with many last names!
I know sisters named Audra and Kara, though I always felt it was a bit of a mismatch. They’re both in their 30s now.
OMG Please use Audra. It’s beautiful and unique but not hard to pronounce or spell. It’s feminine without being frilly. It makes me think of a person at all stages: baby, child, young adult, old adult. Beautiful!
Audra is a beautiful name!
I had completely forgotten that I first saw the name on the credits for Three’s Company. To me, it now immediately means the actress/singer Audra McDonald, an extremely versatile Broadway star with a glorious voice who has set a record by winning six Tony awards, and is also known for TV roles (The Good Wife / The Good Fight, The Gilded Age). Everything I’ve heard bout her as a person seems positive.
She’s so well-known among Broadway fans that her upcoming role as Mama Rose in Gypsy was announced by a sign in Time Square simply saying “AUDRA
GYPSY”
I believe there’s a picture book called A is for Audra, with Broadway actors for each letter.
One of my best friends who is also a big Broadway fan brought her daughter to college a few months back and texted me ‘Who do you think was dropping her daughter off in the next room? AUDRA!!!!”
But among people who aren’t big Broadway fans, she’s much less well-known. I agree with everyone who would put it with feminine tailored names like Willa. It doesn’t have the history of Audrey (which is in a Shakespeare play) or the jump in popularity that Audrey had due to Hepburn, but its similarity to Audrey makes it easily pronounced and spelled by most people.
(a few years back, not a few months back)
I knew an Audra, a younger sister to my friend J@nis, and she was a twin! Her sister’s name was M@rni, which when I was in high school, seemed very different but now that I am FORTY years out of high school, it doesn’t seem too different. I think of Audra McDonald first, which is a great association!
I put Audra in a category of rare, classically feminine, nickname-proof, non-Biblical names: Lorna, Claudia, Yarrow (perhaps gender neutral?), Alma, Leda, Esme, Irene.
My daughter has a friend named Audra who is 9! I also had a coworker who named her daughter Audra – who is probably about 20 now. I think Audra is so pretty and goes with names such as Louisa, Gemma, Vivienne, Colette, and Elisa.
Thank you all for taking the time to comment! I may be overthinking, but wondering if the name feels too close to Audrey and isn’t distinctive enough on its own? I worry since it is so uncommon and because Audrey has become popular again, although is dropping a bit, my daughter will always be compared to Audrey… thank you for any feedback!
I think it has a completely different vibe and you will not run into this issue!
Hi, I am an Audra, born in 69 and my mother watched the Big Valley. I have always liked my name, and it being a bit unusual. Some people confuse it with Audrey but that’s never bothered me. Most people have heard of at least one other Audra so I’ve never felt it was too out there. I’d say go for it but I really like it not being too common so maybe don’t!