'Aubrey' originates from Old French (Norman) 'Aubri' / 'Aubry', which itself comes from the Germanic name 'Alberic' (Latinized as 'Albericus' or 'Auberius'); the Germanic elements are 'alb' meaning 'elf' and 'ric' meaning 'ruler, power'.

'Aubrey' changed from the Old High German/Germanic personal name 'Alberic' into Old French forms such as 'Aubri'/'Aubry' during the medieval period, and was adopted into Middle English as 'Aubrey'.

Initially it meant 'elf-ruler' (a compound of elements meaning 'elf' + 'ruler'); over time it became used mainly as a personal name without retaining any literal supernatural sense.