Declining since 1985, #2,998 for girls today.
Popularity of Sandy since 1880
Babies named Sandy per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 191 |
| 1890s | 0 | 161 |
| 1900s | 0 | 225 |
| 1910s | 33 | 512 |
| 1920s | 123 | 723 |
| 1930s | 796 | 741 |
| 1940s | 8,189 | 1,428 |
| 1950s | 12,188 | 2,169 |
| 1960s | 22,710 | 1,966 |
| 1970s | 9,107 | 932 |
| 1980s | 6,827 | 686 |
| 1990s | 4,752 | 381 |
| 2000s | 2,853 | 171 |
| 2010s | 1,136 | 110 |
| 2020s | 358 | 62 |
Meaning & origin
Sandy saw its peak popularity in 1960 when it ranked among the top names, driven by its cheerful sound and widespread use as a nickname. Since 1985, its usage has steadily declined, reflecting a broader shift away from nickname-style names. In 2025, it ranked 2998th, with a 1-in-29,223 incidence, indicating its rarity in modern nurseries. The name has been recorded since 1914 and was most common in states like Alabama, Florida, and California during its heyday.
Sandy originated as a Scottish diminutive of Alexander, itself from Greek Alexandros (defending men). It has been used as a given name since at least the 19th century, often as a nickname for Sandra or Alexander, and became a popular independent name in the mid-20th century.
Where Sandy is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Sandy” around the world
Where Sandy lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sand
Sibling names for Sandy
Names that share Sandy's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Sandy
Names whose popularity has moved with Sandy's over the last 50 years.
