Meaning and Origin of the Name Sandy
Meaning of Sandy: In Scotland, the name is the Scottish diminutive form of the Greek name Alexander. Alexander means “defender of man” or “man’s defender” or “helper of man.” Alexander most likely originated as a title for Hera, one of the goddesses of the Greek pantheon. The meaning of Sandy in other places can include being the pet form of Alexander or the diminutive of other names like Alasdair, Sandipan, Sanford, or Santiago. It can also be a color reference. For this reason, it is sometimes given to blonde babies. It is unrelated to the surname (last name or family name) Sandy, which has two possible origins: one an Anglo-Saxon place name; and the other from various Norse compound names.
Popularity
Popularity of Sandy: According to recent government statistics, Sandy was the 399 most popular baby boy’s name in Scotland in 2013. The popularity of Sandy has varied historically and has declined in recent years. Of course, some would see this as good news.
Famous people with the First Name Sandy
- The following notable individuals share the Sandy name:
- Sandy Lyle Scottish Professional golfer.
- Alexander “Sandy” Gall Scottish journalist, broadcaster and author.
- Sandy Mayer Former U.S. Tennis player.
- Sandy Brown Scottish jazz clarinetist (1929–75).
Useful Resources
- See the meaning and origin of our other Scottish boys’ names