Girl
Greek
3 syllables
Cassandra
kah-SAN-drah
/kəˈsændrə/
"The prophet" — a name of ancient mystery, brilliant foresight, and tragic Greek grandeur
Cassandra is an ancient Greek name borne by one of mythology's most tragic figures — the Trojan princess who was blessed with the gift of prophecy but cursed so that no one would ever believe her. The name likely means 'shining upon man' or may be related to the Luwian goddess Kasda. Despite its melancholy mythological baggage, Cassandra is a name of extraordinary beauty and depth, conjuring images of dark-eyed seers, fallen cities, and the painful weight of truth unheard.
Quick Facts
Letters9
SyllablesCas · san · dra
GenderGirl
OriginGreek
Root WordKassandros
MeaningShining upon man, unheeded prophetess
PopularityCommon
Peak Year1990
Trend
→ Stable
Nicknames
CassieSandraSandyCass
About the Name Cassandra
The exact meaning of Cassandra is debated by scholars. The most commonly cited interpretation is 'shining upon man' from the Greek kassein (to shine) and aner/andros (man). Others connect it to a Luwian goddess name Kasda. In cultural terms, Cassandra has come to mean a person who accurately predicts doom but is not believed — a 'Cassandra' is now a common word for an unheeded prophet.
Cassandra was a princess of Troy, daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba, and one of the most poignant figures in all of Greek mythology. The god Apollo granted her the gift of prophecy, but when she refused his romantic advances, he cursed her so that her true prophecies would never be believed. She foretold the fall of Troy but was dismissed as mad, making her one of mythology's great tragic figures.
Cassandra is associated with sharp intelligence, deep perception, and a quiet, intense inner world. People named Cassandra are often seen as perceptive, independent, and somewhat mysterious — they see things others miss and aren't afraid to speak hard truths. The name carries an air of intellectual power and quiet dignity, as well as a certain solitary strength.
Cassandra was popular in the United States in the 1980s and 1990s but has declined since then. It now sits in the Common tier, chosen by parents who love its mythological depth and elegant sound but want something distinctive. The shortening Cassie remains popular on its own as a friendlier, more accessible alternative.
Cassandra's three stately syllables pair best with shorter middles that don't overwhelm the name. Beautiful options include Cassandra Rose, Cassandra Jade, Cassandra Elise, Cassandra Grace, and Cassandra Claire. Single-syllable middles create the most elegant balance for this substantial name.
The most common nickname for Cassandra is Cassie, which has a warm, friendly feel very different from the full name's formal gravitas. Sandra and Sandy are also traditional shortenings with a classic mid-century American feel. Cass is a sleek modern option. Some Cassandras prefer to go by their full name, enjoying the weight and distinction of the complete four-syllable form.
Personality of Cassandra
Perceived character traits commonly associated with people named Cassandra
Creativity
88%
Elegance
88%
Independence
92%
Intelligence
96%
Strength
82%
Warmth
70%
Famous People Named Cassandra
C
Cassandra (mythology)
Trojan princess and prophetess of Greek mythology, daughter of King Priam
C
Cassandra Clare
American author of the bestselling Mortal Instruments fantasy series
C
Cassandra Wilson
American jazz and blues singer, three-time Grammy winner
C
Cassandra Peterson
American actress and entertainer known as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
Middle Names for Cassandra
Beautiful combinations that flow well with Cassandra
Cassandra Rose
Cassandra Grace
Cassandra Elise
Cassandra Marie
Cassandra Jade
Cassandra Celeste
Cassandra Violet
Cassandra Pearl
Cassandra Renee
Cassandra Nicole
Cassandra Louise
Cassandra Claire
Names Similar to Cassandra
Similar Sound
Sibling Name Ideas
History of Cassandra
1200 BCE
Cassandra of Troy prophesies the fall of the city; her warnings go unheeded
800 BCE
Homer references Cassandra in the Iliad as the most beautiful of Priam's daughters
1800
Cassandra used as a literary name in the English Romantic tradition
1990
Name peaks in the US amid a wider fashion for long Greek names
Numerology & Symbolism of Cassandra
8
Destiny Number
Sum of all letters
3
Soul Urge
Sum of vowels
♍
Zodiac Affinity
Scorpio
11
Lucky Number
Personal power digit
🎨
Lucky Color
Midnight Purple
💎
Lucky Stone
Obsidian
🌸
Lucky Flower
Black Orchid
Cassandra Around the World
How Cassandra is written in different languages and scripts
كاساندرا
Arabic
カサンドラ
Japanese
Кассандра
Russian
카산드라
Korean
卡桑德拉
Chinese
Κασσάνδρα
Greek
कैसेंड्रा
Hindi
קסנדרה
Hebrew
Looking for Name Ideas?
Explore our name inspiration guides