Sandu is a Romanian short form of the name Alexandru, which is itself the Romanian form of the ancient name Alexander. The root name Alexander is a Latinized form of the Greek Ἀλέξανδρος (Alexandros), meaning "defending men" from the elements alexo (to defend) and aner (man). In Greek mythology, Alexander was another name for the hero Paris, and it also appears in the New Testament. However, the name's enduring popularity stems largely from Alexander the Great, the 4th-century BC king of Macedon who conquered a vast empire. Etymology Sandu is a diminutive of Alexandru, formed by clipping the first part of the name and adding the Romanian diminutive suffix -u. Similar clipping patterns are common in Romanian onomastics, producing informal or familial variants of longer given names. Notable Bearers While largely a diminutive, Sandu also functions as a surname in Romania. One notable bearer is Sandu Chiriță (born 1944), a Romanian rugby union player and coach. The name also appears in politics: Ion Sandu was a Moldovan politician who served as Prime Minister of Moldova in the 1990s. On the international stage, Maia Sandu (born 1972) is the President of Moldova, prominent in Eastern European affairs—though her surname derives from a different root. Cultural Significance Sandu is a familiar, affectionate form used in everyday Romanian speech. Because Alexandru is one of the most common names in Romania—ranked among the top for decades—its diminutive Sandu has widespread usage as both a given name and a nickname. In parts of Romanian folklore, the name is sometimes used to refer to a clever or resourceful young man, though such associations remain informal. Meaning: Defender of men (via Alexander) Origin: Romanian, from Greek Alexandros Type: Diminutive of Alexandru Usage: Given name and surname, primarily in Romania