Pronunciation: sa-BREE-nah
Potential nicknames: Bri, Brin, Bria, Brina, Brini, Sassy, Sabbie, Rina
Origin: Of uncertain etymology, of Celtic origin. In Celtic mythology, recorded by Geoffrey of Monmouth, Sabrina was an illegitimate daughter of a king, and gave her name to the River Severn in England, as it is still called today, because she was drowned in that river as a baby (for being illegitimate). Habren or Hafren, the Welsh name for the Severn, could have been the name of the river before it was called Severn. Others believe Sabrina was the goddess of the Severn, for which there is no legitimate source for this information, and others believe she was a nymph that drowned in the river.
Popularity: In 2010 Sabrina ranked at #219 and has been in the top 1000 since 1950. There were 1,421 baby girls named Sabrina in 2010. In 2011 it was #261, with 1,215 births.
Fun fact: (1) English poet Edmund Spenser first brought Sabrina to attention in literary form by way of his epic poem The Faerie Queene, then John Milton's song in Comus, about a nymph who saves children, inspired and is quoted in the play "Sabrina Fair," which a 1954 movie and a 1995 remake, both titled "Sabrina," were based on. The play and movies are about a chauffeur's daughter who falls in love with a rich man. (2) Sabrina the Teenage Witch, a comic published by Archie Comics that debuted in 1962, a TV show, animated show, and books. Like yesterday's name, Casper, Sabrina has this negative 90s association that will be easier to get over now that the Teenage Witch isn't on TV anymore.
Sabrina Fair:
Sabrina fair
Listen where thou art living
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.
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