Sasha

Sasha is a Slavic diminutive of Alexander or Alexandra, which derive from the ancient Greek name Alexandros, combining alexein, meaning to defend or protect, and aner, meaning man. Originally a pet form used in Russian and other Slavic languages, it spread widely across Europe and beyond during the twentieth century and is used for both males and females. Notable bearers include various members of Russian imperial and aristocratic families, and the name gained further international visibility through figures in literature, film, and music. Closely related forms include Sacha, Sascha, and Shura, all diminutives of the same root name.