Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Sandra

Sandra developed as the abbreviated form of Alessandra (which is the Italian form of Alexandra). It is also sometimes considered a shortened form of Cassandra, as well. Interestingly, this is another name which was introduced for the first time in a literary work. An English writer used the name Sandra as a pet form for his heroine Emilia Alessandra Belloni in an obscure novel called “Emilia in London” which was later republished as “Sandra Belloni” in 1887 (a comic story about English social climbing in the Victorian era). Sandra is the admirable, beautiful, intelligent, humorous, musically-gifted, eccentric and passionate protagonist of the story, albeit from a simple background, but one who breathes all the life and love into the story as she is contrasted against the silly and vapid societal rules of Victorian England. Meredith’s novel is believed to have triggered the usage of Sandra as a female given name in the late 19th century. Today, Sandra is most popular in Poland, Spain and Norway.

All About the Baby Name – Sandra

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME SANDRA

The Three energy is powerful and enthusiastic. These personalities are cheerful, full of self-expression, and often quite emotional. They have an artistic flair and "gift-of-gab" that makes them natural entertainers. Their joyfulness bubbles over, and their infectious exuberance draws a crowd. The Three personality is like a child - forever young and full of delight. They are charming, witty, and generally happy people. The Three personality lives in the "now" and has a spontaneous nature. Threes seem to live with a bright and seemingly unbreakable aura that attracts others to them. In turn, they are deeply loyal and loving to their friends and family. Luck also has a tendency to favor number Threes.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME SANDRA

Sandra made her debut in the American female naming charts in 1913. The name saw immediate and steady increases in usage as she headed for the Top 100 list where she landed a position in 1934. Not content to stop there, Sandra soared to the Top 15 list of most commonly used girl names by 1938 and she parked herself there for the next almost 20 years. Sandra’s peak popularity came in 1947 when the name was the 5th most favorite in America. All told, Sandra maintained a position on the Top 100 list for 50 consecutive years (1934-1984). Her success in the late 1950s and 60s is further owed to actress and perpetual ingénue Sandra Dee (b. 1942). By the mid-1980s it became clear that this midcentury favorite was going out of style. She has been on a backwards trajectory ever since. Sandra has that same 1950s and 60s flavor as Linda, Donna and Patricia that just doesn’t seem to work in the 21st century. More modern day actresses such as Sandra Bullock and Sandra Oh have done little to propel the name back into more moderate usage. Another important name bearer is Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman ever to be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court (by Ronald Reagan in 1981). As Sandra means “defender of mankind” we feel compelled to “defend” her name. It’s a pretty and unpretentious choice for a girl, and Sandy is an upbeat and friendly pet name.

Quick Facts

ON SANDRA

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

766

PRONUNCIATION:

SAN-drə

SIMPLE MEANING:

Defender of mankind

Characteristics

OF SANDRA

Communicative

Creative

Optimistic

Popular

Social

Dramatic

Happy

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Sandra

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME SANDRA

Sandra Belloni is the title character of George Meredith’s 1886 novel, Sandra Belloni, first published in 1864 as Emilia in England. The heroine is a beautiful and innocent young girl with a talent and a passion for music, who, over the course of the novel, goes from rags to riches, heartbreak to contentment. Sandra is of modest beginnings, but comes to the attention of more socially favorably placed persons, who help her along with her career, albeit not on an entirely altruistic basis. Among them are the three Pole sisters, social climbers extraordinaire, who also introduce her to their brother, with disastrous results. Mr. Meredith’s innate revulsion for snobbery and insincerity assure that our Sandra will triumph after all, and blossom into the fullness of her own exemplary nature.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME SANDRA

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Sandra


Popular Songs

ON SANDRA

Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee
a song sung by Olivia Newton John in the musical Grease

Sandra
a song by the Smoking Popes

Golly Sandra
a song by Eisley

Famous People

NAMED SANDRA

Sandra Bullock (actress)
Sandra Day O'Connor (U.S. Supreme Court Justice)
Sandra Bernhard (actress)
Sandra Dee (actress)
Sandra Oh (actress)
Sandra Haynie (golfer)
Sandra Meadows (basketball player)

Children of Famous People

NAMED SANDRA

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Sandra

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME SANDRA

Sandra Day O’Connor will forever hold the distinction of being the first woman ever appointed to the United States Supreme Court. Her tenure lasted from 1981 when she was appointed at the age of 51 by then-President Ronald Reagan through the George Dubya administration until her retirement in 2006 (24 years). O’Connor was born in Texas, attended Stanford University as an undergrad and law student, and settled in Arizona to a life of politics (state senate). By the mid-1970s, Sandra switched from legislative work to judicial work when she ran for Country Superior Court judge and won. A conservative Republican, O’Connor had the reputation of being firm but just. She was then elected to the Arizona State Court of Appeals before President Reagan came a’callin and Sandra received unanimous approval from the U.S. Senate for her appointment as judge on the nation’s most “supreme” court – also representing a groundbreaking accomplishment on behalf of American women everywhere. During her 24 year tenure, Sandra Day O’Connor was respected for her moderate-conservative positions, her refusal to play politics and her firm but just interpretation of the law as it applied to the original intentions of the U.S. Constitution. Perhaps she said it best when she spoke the following words: "The power I exert on the court depends on the power of my arguments, not on my gender." In 2009, President Obama awarded Sandra the Presidential Medal of Freedom.