آسیمان در اسکندریه، مصر در یک خانواده که صاحب یک کارخانه بافتنی بود، متولد شد.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://prelectur.stanford.edu/lecturers/aciman|title=Presidential Lectures: André Aciman|last=Baker|first=Zachary M.|date=2009|website=Stanford Presidential Lectures|access-date=5 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E04EEDF1E3AF936A25756C0A96E9C8B63|archiveurl=https://web.archive.nytimes.comorg/web/20170803094701/https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage-9E04EEDF1E3AF936A25756C0A96E9C8B63.html?res=9E04EEDF1E3AF936A25756C0A96E9C8B63|archive-date=May۳ 15, 2008اوت ۲۰۱۷|title=Deaths: ACIMAN, HENRI N|date=15 May 2008|work=The New York Times|access-date=5 September 2017|issn=0362-4331|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary.aspx?pid=162296112|title=REGINE ACIMAN: Obituary|date=12 January 2013|work=The New York Times|access-date=5 September 2017|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> مادرش ناشنوا بود.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/03/17/are-you-listening|title=Are You Listening?|first=André|last=Aciman|date=10 March 2014|publisher=newyorker.com}}</ref> آندره در یک خانواده فرانسوی بزرگ شد که اعضای خانواده به زبان ایتالیایی، یونانی، لادینو و عربی هم صحبت میکردند.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gc.cuny.edu/Page-Elements/Academics-Research-Centers-Initiatives/Doctoral-Programs/Comparative-Literature/Faculty-Bios/Andre-Aciman|title=André Aciman|website=www.gc.cuny.edu}}</ref>
