"hollow, empty"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Cassius
Does Cassius flow with your last name?
From Roman senator to Muhammad Ali — a name for greatness
English
American
Roman
Bold
Classic
Strong
Vintage
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Cassius
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Cassius
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"of the ancient Roman Cassia gens"
Origin: Latin/Etruscan
Language: Latin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Cassius
See all →What the Cassius report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Cassius the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Cassius
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Cassius head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Cassius actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Cassius
Cassius is an ancient Roman family name (nomen gentilicium) borne by one of Rome's most distinguished patrician clans. Its etymology likely derives from the Latin 'cassus' meaning hollow or empty, though some scholars link it to Etruscan roots. The gens Cassia produced numerous consuls, generals, and the infamous Gaius Cassius Longinus — one of the principal conspirators who assassinated Julius Caesar on the Ides of March in 44 BC.
Cassius has climbed dramatically in US popularity since 2010, driven by parents drawn to its grandeur and its most famous modern bearer: Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Clay. Ali's declaration that he was 'the greatest' redefined the name's etymology as a statement of towering confidence and greatness.
The name Cassius carries extraordinary historical weight — from the Roman assassin of Caesar to the Louisville Lip who became Muhammad Ali. Shakespeare immortalized Cassius in Julius Caesar with the line 'The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.' When Ali reclaimed the name's identity, he transformed ancient Roman history into Black American empowerment.
Historical Record
Cassius first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 8,795 babies have been named Cassius in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cassius is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #568 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., named after the abolitionist politician Cassius Marcellus Clay
- Shakespeare's Cassius says: 'The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves'
- The gens Cassia produced over a dozen Roman consuls during the Republic era
Cassius in Other Languages
Greek
Κάσσιος
Latin
Cassius
French
Cassius
Italian
Cassio
Spanish
Casio
Popularity Over Time
#568
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Cassius
M
Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay)
Athlete
1942
Heavyweight boxing champion and civil rights activist, widely regarded as the greatest boxer of all time
G
Gaius Cassius Longinus
Military
Roman senator and general, principal organizer of the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC
C
Cassius (character) Fictional
Other
Complex antagonist in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar whose rhetoric convinces Brutus to join the conspiracy
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #568
- Total SSA Count
- 516
- Cultural Origins
- English American Roman
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Cass
Cas
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Cassius
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Cassius fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Cassius is also used as a girl name, ranked #41436.
View Cassius as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Cassius →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Cassius with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Cassius
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Cassius and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Cassius sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Flynn
Boy
Old Irish origin
"descendant of Flann (ruddy, red)"
#738 in US
Asa
Boy
Old Norse origin
"divine, god-like"
#475 in US
Duke
Boy
Old French via Latin origin
"nobleman, duke"
#710 in US
Keegan
Boy
Irish mythology (Aodh) origin
"descendant of the sun god"
#595 in US
Ambrose
Boy
Greek origin
"immortal, divine"
#744 in US
Quinn
Boy
Irish origin
"chief, leader"
#498 in US
Forrest
Boy
Old French origin
"dweller near the woods"
#408 in US
Jayson
Boy
Greek origin
"to heal (from iasthai)"
#623 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Cassius's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cassius
What does the name Cassius mean?
"hollow, empty" (from Latin). "of the ancient Roman Cassia gens" (from Latin/Etruscan). Cassius is an ancient Roman family name (nomen gentilicium) borne by one of Rome's most distinguished patrician clans. Its etymology likely derives from the Latin 'cassus' meaning hollow or empty, though some scholars link it to Etruscan roots. The gens Cassia produced numerous consuls, generals, and the infamous Gaius Cassius Longinus — one of the principal conspirators who assassinated Julius Caesar on the Ides of March in 44 BC.
What is the origin of the name Cassius?
Cassius has Latin, Latin/Etruscan, English, American, and Roman origins. In Latin, it means "hollow, empty". In Latin/Etruscan, it means "of the ancient Roman Cassia gens".
Is Cassius a boy or girl name?
Cassius is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #568. As a girl name, it is ranked #41436. Cassius is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Cassius?
Cassius is currently ranked #568 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cassius?
Common nicknames for Cassius include Cass and Cas.
What are good middle names for Cassius?
Popular middle name pairings include Cassius James, Cassius Marcus, Cassius Cole, Cassius Reid, Cassius Blake, Cassius Grant, and Cassius Everett.
What are good sibling names for Cassius?
Names that pair well with Cassius as siblings include Octavia, Maximus, Leonora, Atticus, Valentina, Julius, and Aurora.
How many syllables does Cassius have?
Cassius has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Cassius a common or rare name?
Cassius is moderately common, ranked #568 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What boy names are similar to Cassius?
About the Name Cassius
Cassius is a boy name with English, American, and Roman origins . The name means "hollow, empty" in Latin .
Is Cassius a boy or girl name? Cassius is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #568 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #41,436. Cassius is more commonly used as a boy name.
Cassius is currently ranked #568 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Cassius has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Cassius include Cass and Cas. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Cassius include Cassian, Cassidy, Cassiel . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Latin Names
Browse all names with this origin
C
Names Starting with C
More boy names like Cassius
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis