Sasha

♂ Boy

Pronounced SAH-shuh /ˈsɑː.ʃə/High

Meaning: Defender of men; Russian diminutive of Alexander (Greek Alexandros: alexein to defend + aner/andros man)High

In 30 seconds: The Russian diminutive of Alexander meaning 'defender of men.' In Russia and Eastern Europe Sasha is used for both boys and girls, but in the United States it appears in boys' data here — a warm, accessible diminutive of the mighty Alexander.

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Origin HighRussian, Greek

MeaningDefender of men; Russian diminutive of Alexander (Greek Alexandros: alexein to defend + aner/andros man)

U.S. rank (2025)#2748 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births47 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,745

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Sasha is a Russian diminutive of Alexander (Greek Alexandros: defender of men, from alexein: to defend + aner: man). It has been used in Russian and Eastern European communities for centuries as an affectionate form of the stately Alexander.

Sasha is used in the United States primarily by Russian American and Eastern European families, though it has spread more broadly. In 2024 it ranked #2355 for boys, though it is more commonly used for girls in the U.S.

Did you know? In Russia, Sasha (short for Alexander or Alexandra) is one of the most common everyday names — like 'Mike' in the U.S. It is so ubiquitous that there's a Russian saying: 'Every other person is either a Sasha or an Ivan.'

Overall data confidence 94%

Behind the Name — Sasha — Russian/Greek etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AlexanderSacha

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Sasha (1969-)
Welsh DJ and record producer, born Alexander Coe

If you like Sasha…

Misha— Russian diminutive of Mikhail (Michael) in the same tradition

Dasha— Russian diminutive in the same naming tradition

Vanya— Russian diminutive of Ivan in the same tradition

Alexei— Russian form of Alexander sharing the same Alex- root

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Sasha mean?

Sasha means 'defender of men,' the Russian diminutive of Alexander (Greek: alexein to defend + aner man).

How do you pronounce Sasha?

It's said SAH-shuh /ˈsɑː.ʃə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Sasha a boy or girl name?

Sasha is used for both sexes; it appears in boys' data here.

How popular is Sasha?

Sasha ranked #2355 for U.S. boys in 2024.