Sandra
/ˈsæn.drə/noun
A feminine given name, commonly regarded as a shortened form of Alexandra.
Did you know?Sandra ultimately descends from Alexandra, the feminine form of Alexander—the name made famous by Alexander the Great and built from Greek words meaning “to ward off” and “human being.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂lek-
“To ward off, protect, or repel”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀλέξω (alexō)
“I defend, ward off, or keep away”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Ἀλέξανδρος (Alexandros)
“Defender of men or humankind”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Ἀλεξάνδρα (Alexandra)
“Feminine form of Alexandros: defender of humankind”
Medieval to Early Modern Period
European languages
Alexandra
“A feminine personal name, later shortened in several languages”
20th Century
English
Sandra
“An established short form and independent feminine given name”
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