The nameSandy
Sandy is a cheerful pet form of Alexander and Alexandra. It was a big American girls' name around 1960.
- Unisex name
- Scottish
- Feast day
Meaning
Sandy is a Scottish short form of Alexander, from the Greek "defender of men", later also used for Alexandra and Sandra.
Origin
Scottish.
History
In the United States Sandy reached 126th place for girls in 1960. For boys it was used earlier, reaching 329th in 1886. In Scotland Sandy has long been a nickname for Alexander.
Famous people named Sandy
- Sandy Denny, singer
- Sandy Lyle, golfer
- Sandy, heroine of Grease
Popularity of the name Sandy
Sandy in the United States
Sandy was most popular in the United States in the 1960s, with 24,677 births over the decade, 31% of all recorded babies named Sandy. Its rise began around 1940, and it peaked in 1960. Half of all babies named Sandy in the United States were born before 1963, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 70 births a year on average, against 99 in the five years before.
Sandy in the United Kingdom
Sandy was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 180 births over the decade, 35% of all recorded babies named Sandy. Half of all babies named Sandy in the United Kingdom were born before 2011, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 22 births a year on average, against 15 in the five years before.
Sandy in France
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Sandy
Names from the same generation as Sandy, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Sandy? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Sandy with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Sandy side by side with the name of your choice.
Sandy in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sandy mean?
Sandy is a Scottish short form of Alexander, from the Greek "defender of men", later also used for Alexandra and Sandra.
What is the origin of the name Sandy?
Scottish.
Is Sandy a girl's or a boy's name?
Sandy is a unisex name, given to both girls and boys. In the United States, 87% of the babies named Sandy are girls.
How popular is the name Sandy?
In 2024, Sandy was the 3266th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 48 births.
What are the variants of the name Sandy?
Variants and related names of Sandy include Alexander and Alexandre.
What are good sibling names for Sandy?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Kathy, Diane, Rachelle and Tanya for a sister, Kenny, Steve, Geoffrey and Rigoberto for a brother.
Who are famous people named Sandy?
Sandy Denny, singer; Sandy Lyle, golfer; Sandy, heroine of Grease.