"shining upon man"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Cassandra
Pronunciation: [ k-uhs-ANDR-uh ]
Girl Name
#614 Most Popular
Steady
4 Syllables
The prophet of Troy who was always right
English
American
French
Spanish
Literary
Classic
Strong
Mythological
Elegant
Meaning & Origin
Things to Know About This Name
- In Greek mythology, Cassandra was cursed so no one would believe her prophecies; the term 'Cassandra' is commonly used to describe someone whose warnings are ignored — a double-edged cultural association
The Story of Cassandra
Cassandra is a name from Greek mythology, borne by the daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy. The etymology is debated: it may mean 'she who entangles men' (from kekasmai and aner) or 'shining upon man.' Apollo, infatuated with her, gave Cassandra the gift of prophecy — but when she rejected him, he cursed her so that no one would believe her predictions, even though they were always true. She foretold the fall of Troy but was ignored.
Cassandra peaked in popularity in the United States during the 1970s–1990s, reaching the top 100 in 1981. It has declined since then but remains a name with devoted fans who appreciate its mythological depth and the classic nickname Cassie.
The Cassandra complex — the tragic pattern of accurate warnings going unheeded — is widely referenced in psychology, politics, and literature. In climate science and public health, experts who predicted crises before they happened are often called 'Cassandras.' This gives the name a powerful, if bittersweet, intellectual identity.
Fun Facts
- The 'Cassandra complex' is a recognized psychological and sociological phenomenon describing ignored prophets
- Cassandra is the subject of operas by several composers, including a 2004 opera by American composer Elliott Goldenthal
Cassandra in Other Languages
Greek
Κασσάνδρα
French
Cassandre
German
Kassandra
Italian
Cassandra
Spanish
Casandra
Famous People Named Cassandra
C
Cassandra Clare
Writer
1973
American author of The Mortal Instruments fantasy series, one of the best-selling YA authors of the 2010s
C
Cassandra Wilson
Musician
1955
Grammy Award-winning American jazz singer and composer, one of the most acclaimed vocalists of her generation
C
Cassandra Fictional
Other
Trojan princess in Greek mythology who was gifted with prophecy but cursed so no one believed her; she foretold the fall...
Trojan princess in Greek mythology who was gifted with prophecy but cursed so no one believed her; she foretold the fall of Troy
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #614
- Total SSA Count
- 485
- Cultural Origins
- English American French Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Cass
Cassie
Sandra
Sandy
Pairs Well With
Cassandra Marie
Cassandra Rose
Cassandra Anne
Cassandra Lynn
Cassandra Elizabeth
Cassandra Jane
Cassandra Faye
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Cassandra is also used as a boy name, ranked #29559.
View Cassandra as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cassandra
What does the name Cassandra mean?
"shining upon man" (from Greek). Cassandra is a name from Greek mythology, borne by the daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy. The etymology is debated: it may mean 'she who entangles men' (from kekasmai and aner) or 'shining upon man.' Apollo, infatuated with her, gave Cassandra the gift of prophecy — but when she rejected him, he cursed her so that no one would believe her predictions, even though they were always true. She foretold the fall of Troy but was ignored.
What is the origin of the name Cassandra?
Cassandra has Greek, English, American, French, and Spanish origins. In Greek, it means "shining upon man".
Is Cassandra a boy or girl name?
Cassandra is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #614. As a boy name, it is ranked #29559. Cassandra is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Cassandra?
Cassandra is pronounced k-uhs-ANDR-uh.
How popular is the name Cassandra?
Cassandra is currently ranked #614 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cassandra?
Common nicknames for Cassandra include Cass, Cassie, Sandra, and Sandy.
What are good middle names for Cassandra?
Popular middle name pairings include Cassandra Marie, Cassandra Rose, Cassandra Anne, Cassandra Lynn, Cassandra Elizabeth, Cassandra Jane, and Cassandra Faye.
What are good sibling names for Cassandra?
Names that pair well with Cassandra as siblings include Orion, Penelope, Helena, Jason, Daphne, Lysander, and Phoebe.
How many syllables does Cassandra have?
Cassandra has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Cassandra a common or rare name?
Cassandra is moderately common, ranked #614 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Cassandra
Cassandra is a girl name with English, American, French, and Spanish origins . The name means "shining upon man" in Greek .
Is Cassandra a boy or girl name? Cassandra is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #614 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #29,559. Cassandra is more commonly used as a girl name.
Cassandra is currently ranked #614 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Cassandra has 4 syllables and is pronounced k-uhs-ANDR-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Cassandra include Cass, Cassie, Sandra, and Sandy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Cassandra include Cassidy, Cassie, Cassandr, Cassia . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.