French-influenced variant of Audrey, from Old English meaning "noble strength."
Audree is a modern respelling of Audrey, which descends from the Old English *Æðelþryð* — a compound of *æthel* (noble) and *þryð* (strength). The name was borne by Saint Audrey, a 7th-century Queen of Northumbria who founded Ely Cathedral. Ironically, the lace sold at her memorial fair became so cheap and showy that the word *tawdry* (a corruption of *Saint Audrey's*) entered the English language — a curious linguistic footnote attached to an otherwise dignified name.
Audrey surged in the 20th century largely through Audrey Hepburn, whose luminous grace in *Roman Holiday* (1953) and *Breakfast at Tiffany's* (1961) made the name synonymous with an understated, timeless elegance. That association has proved remarkably durable, keeping Audrey in steady favor for decades. The variant spelling Audree softens the name slightly while preserving all its heritage.
The -ee ending gives it a warmer, more informal feel, appealing to parents who love the classic root but want a name that feels a little more personal and contemporary. It sits comfortably in the tradition of creative respellings that have characterized American naming culture since the mid-20th century.