Girl · 10th of 12,526
Sandra
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
878,026
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1947
Peak Popularity Year
34,852
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Sandra stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Sandra originates from the Greek name Alexandra, meaning 'defender of men.' It evolved through various forms and gained popularity as a standalone name in the 20th century. The name is often associated with positive traits and has notable bearers in popular culture.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈsændrə/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
Sandra is derived from the Greek name 'Alexandra,' which means 'defender of men.' It is often considered a diminutive or short form of Alexandra.
Meaning
defender of men
Language Evolution
Alexandra (Greek), Alessandra (Italian), Sandra (English)
Historical Usage
Sandra gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a standalone name.
Variants & Derivatives
Alexandra, Sandy, Sandi
Modern Popularity & Image
Sandra is perceived as a classic and timeless name, often associated with friendliness and approachability.
Famous People
Sandra Bullock, Sandra Oh, Sandra Dee
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 34,852 peak births in 1947
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in West Virginia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1162nd of 6773 | 629 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 998th of 7552 | 1,074 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1416th of 10718 | 593 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2676th of 16616 | 366 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 15196th of 24088 | 30 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 764th of 9107 | 1,620 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 19th of 9204 | 183,245 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 10th of 12526 | 491,784 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 32nd of 19264 | 140,171 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 122nd of 27321 | 39,563 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 326th of 35406 | 15,561 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 947th of 30306 | 3,390 |