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Home › Baby Names Directory › Saundra

Saundra

♀ Girl

Pronounced SAWN-druh /ˈsɔːn.drə/Medium

Meaning: A phonetic respelling of Sandra, itself a short form of Alexandra, from Greek elements meaning 'to defend' and 'man' — hence 'defender of man.' The -au- spelling reflects the 'aw' pronunciation.Medium

In 30 seconds: Saundra is a mid-century spelling of Sandra, from Alexandra, 'defender of man' (said 'SAWN-druh').
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Origin MediumGreek, English
MeaningA phonetic respelling of Sandra, itself a short form of Alexandra, from Greek elements meaning 'to defend' and 'man' — hence 'defender of man.' The -au- spelling reflects the 'aw' pronunciation.
U.S. rank (2017)#15619 ↘ Falling
2017 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1947
Total births (all-time)≈ 17,851

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 194719252017

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

Saundra is a variant of Sandra, which shortens Alexandra, from the Greek for 'defender of man.' Sandra soared in mid-century America, and the phonetic Saundra spelling crested around 1947 before drifting off, leaving it a hallmark of 1940s naming.

Given to several hundred girls a year at its height, Saundra now reads as vintage, a spelling curio beside the once-mighty Sandra.

Did you know? Saundra peaked around 1947 and quietly disappeared within a generation, an 'aw'-spelled Sandra of the war years.
Overall data confidence 78%
References — Saundra — Variant of Sandra; short for Alexandra

Variations

SandraSondraSaundria

Nicknames

SandySandi

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Saundra…

Sandra— the parent name Saundra respells
Sondra— a sister variant
Alexandra— the full source name
Deloris— a same-era vintage pick

Explore names like Saundra

By themevintagevariantgreek-root1940s

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Saundra mean?

Saundra is a variant of Sandra, from Alexandra, meaning 'defender of man.'

How do you pronounce Saundra?

It's said SAWN-druh /ˈsɔːn.drə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Saundra a boy or girl name?

Saundra is used as a girl's name.

Is Saundra making a comeback?

Not really — it's a mid-century favorite that has been rare for decades, a vintage spelling of Sandra.

💬 Ask Nia