On the heels of Audrey, here’s one of Miss Hepburn’s enduring characters.
Thanks to Photoquilty for suggesting Sabrina as Name of the Day.
Back in 1954, Audrey Hepburn played Sabrina, a chauffeur’s daughter for a wealthy family. She adored the privileged younger brother from afar. And then from not-so-far, as she grew up into, well, Audrey Hepburn.
In the movie, Sabrina explained that her name came from a poem. The movie was based on a 1953 stage play – Sabrina Fair – that borrowed even more from John Milton’s lines:
Sabrina fair
Listen where thou art sitting
Under the glassie, cool, translucent wave,
In twisted braids of Lillies knitting
The loose train of thy amber-dropping hair,
Listen for dear honour’s sake,
Goddess of the silver lake,
Listen and save.
Milton’s Sabrina was part-mermaid, part-sea goddess. His poem was part of his 1634 Comus: A Masque.
The choice of Sabrina was uncommon but reasonable for a water-going girl. Most sources link it to the original Welsh name for the River Severn. Habren wasn’t just the river’s name, but the name of a legendary medieval princess, tossed into the river by a jealous queen. Legend has it that Habren’s spirit dwells in the river still.
It is equally possible that Habren (or Hafren) was the river’s name before it became a personal name. Evidence suggests Habren was a minor deity centuries before the ill-fated princess. The personal name was Latinized to Sabrina, while the river’s name evolved into Severn.
Samuel A. Taylor’s 1953 Sabrina Fair: A Woman of the World revived the name. The plot is predictable, but winning. The 1954 film adaptation led to a Best Actress Oscar for Hepburn.
The movie also inspired quite a few parents. Sabrina debuted at #795 in 1954 – and a year later, had catapulted to #245. (That oft-mentioned movie-mermaid Madison? It took four years after her 1984 debut to reach the 200s.)
Sabrina reached #133 in 1967, but she was on the decline when Charlie’s Angels debuted. Kate Jackson played brainy Southern-born Sabrina Duncan, nicknamed Bree. By 1977, the name Sabrina had rebounded to #63.
There’s also Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Originally a comic book character, the novice spellcaster has appeared on the small screen, in books and in animated form, too. In 1996, Melissa Joan Hart played the most recent incarnation of Sabrina in a made-for-TV movie. The series of the same name followed for seven seasons. Think Bewitched-meets-Hannah Montana. Her name hovered in the US Top 1000 throughout most of the show’s run.
Other famous Sabrinas include:
- Visit Amherst College and you can spot a 350 pound bronze statue named Sabrina;
- The British Navy has had at least three ships named the HMS Sabrina;
- The Cosby Show’s eldest daughter, Sondra, was played by Sabrina LeBeauf;
- Disney’s Cheetah Girls line-up includes Sabrina Bryan – known as Dorinda in the Cheetahverse. She was also a fan favorite during Dancing with the Stars Season 5.
As of 2008, Sabrina ranked #185. And why not? She’s been right at home with popular names through recent decades, holding her own against Barbara, Amanda, Jessica and Olivia – without ever really sounding trendy or overexposed. She’s feminine and just a little bit unexpected – precisely what many parents are seeking in a name for a daughter.
I’ve always liked Sabrina, but I must admit, she has somewhat of a dated feel. I always felt Sabrina had this spunky and esoteric vibe as well, which is the nice part about Sabrina.
Love Sabrina! I like the idea of using Rina as a nickname rather than Bree. It sounds more sophisticated to me. Sabrina is a beautiful name. I had one in my class during Elementary school but haven’t met one ever since. I’ll have to say I like Serena and Seren better though, but still a favorite.
Thalia (the singer) named her daughter Sabrina Sakae, nice choice I think.
I’d definitely consider using it. It works well with my last name and I like that it isn’t overexposed but is still familiar. Way better choice than trendy names like Kaylee and Madison and trailer trash names like Destinee and Britney.
This is my number one choice if this baby is a girl. I can’t help it – it’s frilly, three syllables, no ready-nickname, falling in popularity, and yet I just love it despite all these things.
My parents had a cat named Sabrina when I was a baby, so to me it’s a pet’s name before it’s Melissa Joan Hart’s teenage witch. And yet, pet name or not, I still love it.
I think we can make all the rules we want about the perfect name for our children, but sometimes it just comes down to “I love the name” even if it doesn’t fit the guidelines. That’s what happened with Ethan (hello, number 4 name the year he was born, and I hate popular names!) and that’s what’s happening with me and Sabrina. If only I could find another boy name I love as much for this baby, if -heaven forbid – I have a second boy.
Awww, if you have another lil’ man, you’ll still be over the moon. Just think how much it would be for Ethan to have a brother! And for what it’s worth, I think Sabrina is an underused gem. It strikes me as more exotic (or maybe even sultry) than frilly. I think it’s a great choice!
I know – a second boy name would’ve been impossible for us, too!
Aly had a friend named Avery (yup, a boy) when we lived in Pittsburgh. His little sister was Sabrina. I hadn’t thought about the name in years, but ever since then, I’ve loved it. As for it being frilly? Her Roller Derby name can always be Bree.
Seriously, though – I love Bree. But Brielle gives me hives and Brianna is truly overexposed. Sabrina is a nice, subtle way to get to the nickname, if she needs one. I’ve known plenty of Amandas and Olivias who don’t use a nn. (Well, and if she is a she …)
I agree; Brielle is awful. But there’s something about the -ina ending I like (see my previous NotD suggestion Paulina, and I also like Irina). So I guess Sabrina isn’t too far a jump. Bree is cute, but being an avid Desperate Housewives hater, I don’t want to get comparisons to that.
If it’s a girl, yes.
I knew an adorable Sabrina who went by the nickname “Beenie” because her older sister couldn’t pronounce Sabrina. It was super cute on her.
Ethan and Sabrina sound perfect together! This one really has been growing on my, photoquilty, since seeing it pop up on your list.
My name is Sabrina…none of my nicknames had anything to do with my name until my baby cousin came along, and with her, the nickname “Brina”. I was always the only Sabrina in my grade (in small, southern town). I have always loved my name, but mourned the lack of pre-printed items with my name on them.
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