Definition of sally

The origins of the name "Sally" are a bit complicated! The name Sally is a shortened form of the name Sarah, which means "lady" or "princess" in Hebrew. In the Middle Ages, the Latin form of the name was Sarra, which was later adapted into Old French as Sara. In the 16th century, the name Sally emerged as a diminutive form of Sara, much like Lily is a diminutive form of Lilian. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Sally became a popular given name among the upper class in England, and it's believed to have been popularized by the character Sally Stanhope in John Dryden's play "Secret Love" (1692). Throughout history, Sally has been used as a nickname for Sarah, and it's often associated with qualities like sweetness, innocence, and charm.