The nameSandy

Sandy is a cheerful pet form of Alexander and Alexandra. It was a big American girls' name around 1960.

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

Popularity of the name Sandy

Sandy in the United States

3266thmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024
1960peak year (3,821 births)
79,462babies named Sandy in the United States since 1880
01,9113,821 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

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

1347thmost popular boys' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
2025peak year (29 births)
520babies named Sandy in the United Kingdom since 1997
01529 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

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

2360thmost popular girls' name in France, latest official figures
1989peak year (1,025 births)
18,205babies named Sandy in France since 1900
05131,025 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

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.