Hannah Girl
HA-nuh
“grace, favor” · Hebrew
#56
Cassandra
GirlGreek· “uncertain; name of a Trojan prophetess”
- Meaning
- uncertain; name of a Trojan prophetess (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- kuh-SAN-druh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #631
- US babies 2025
- 463
- Best rank
- #49 (1990)
- Peak year
- 1990
Meaning and origin of Cassandra
Cassandra is often said to mean “uncertain; name of a Trojan prophetess”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Greek roots.
Cassandra comes from Greek mythology, where Kassandra was a princess of Troy and daughter of King Priam. The god Apollo gave her the gift of prophecy and then cursed her so that no one would believe her warnings, including her warning about the fall of Troy. The meaning of the name is uncertain; scholars have suggested links to Greek words for excelling or shining, but no explanation is agreed. The name became popular in English after medieval retellings of the Trojan story. Cassie and Sandra are easy nicknames for this dramatic classic.
Popularity over time
Cassandra first appears in US Social Security records in 1902. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 84 different years, starting in 1942. Its best national rank was #49 in 1990, the same year it reached its highest count of 7,054 babies. In 2025, 463 babies were named Cassandra, and it ranked #631 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #2,927 in 1920, #307 in 1950, #138 in 1980, #100 in 2000, #329 in 2010, and #631 in 2025. Of the 171,008 US girls named Cassandra since records began, 29% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 44,911 babies. Since 2010, 9,161 more have been named Cassandra.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Brittney, Molly, Erika, Shelby, and Bianca.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Cassandra ranked highest in New Jersey, California, and Washington.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #352 | 23 |
| California | #380 | 87 |
| Washington | #417 | 17 |
| Utah | #450 | 9 |
| Colorado | #506 | 11 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Cassandra is usually pronounced kuh-SAN-druh, with three syllables. It has nine letters, starts with C and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Cassandra
A few middle names that flow with Cassandra: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Cassandra
Similar names
Kassandra Girl
kuh-SAN-druh
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al-ig-ZAN-druh
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see-AIR-uh
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ah-LOHN-druh
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Lists that include Cassandra
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cassandra mean?
Cassandra is often said to mean “uncertain; name of a Trojan prophetess”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Greek roots.
What is the origin of the name Cassandra?
Cassandra has Greek roots. Cassandra comes from Greek mythology, where Kassandra was a princess of Troy and daughter of King Priam.
Is Cassandra a popular name?
Yes. Cassandra ranked #631 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Cassandra a boy or girl name?
Cassandra is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Cassandra?
Cassandra is usually pronounced kuh-SAN-druh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings