masc. personal name, from Old French Auberi, from Old High German Alberich "ruler of elves," or *Alb(e)rada "elf-counsel" (fem.). In U.S., it began to be used as a girl's name c.1973 and was among the top 100 given names for girls born 2006-2008, eclipsing its use for boys, which faded in proportion.