'audrey' originates from Old English, specifically the name 'Æthelthryth', where 'æthel' meant 'noble' and 'þryð' meant 'strength'.

'audrey' changed from the Old English name 'Æthelthryth' to Medieval Latin 'Etheldreda', then to Middle English 'Audrey', and eventually became the modern English name 'Audrey'.

Initially, it meant 'noble strength', but over time it evolved into and is used primarily as a female given name (the literal meaning is no longer transparent to most speakers).