Latin form of Severn, name of a river in England. In Celtic legend, this is the name of a river goddess who dwelt in the Severn river. Apparently, there has been an error by certain authors who claim that the name, Sabrina, was mentioned by Geoffrey of Monmouth. He used the Old Welsh name Habren, not Sabrina, and He was probably wrong in claiming that the river was named after a princess who was drowned in it on orders of her stepmother, as the river name is much too ancient.