What Does the Name Sandra Mean?
Sandra is a girl's name of Greek (via Italian) origin meaning “defender of mankind.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Sandra |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Greek (via Italian) |
| Meaning | defender of mankind |
| Variants | Alexandra, Alessandra, Sondra, Sandy, Saundra |
| Popularity | A top 10 US girls' name in the mid-1940s |
The meaning and origin of Sandra
The name Sandra means “defender of mankind” and has Greek (via Italian) origins. Originally an Italian short form of Alessandra (Alexandra), from the Greek meaning 'defending men' or 'defender of mankind.' It became popular as an independent name in the 20th century, often shortened to Sandy.
Variants and related names
Sandra is related to several other names you may recognize: Alexandra, Alessandra, Sondra, Sandy, Saundra. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Sandra?
A top 10 US girls' name in the mid-1940s
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sandra mean?+
The name Sandra means “defender of mankind” and is of Greek (via Italian) origin.
What is the origin of the name Sandra?+
Sandra originates from Greek (via Italian).
Is Sandra a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Sandra has trended in the US over time.
Sandra by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press