Kassandra is a beautiful and unique feminine given name with Greek origins. It means "she who excels men" in Greek, which signifies strength and intelligence. According to Greek mythology, Kassandra was a princess of Troy who had the gift of prophecy but was cursed so that no one would believe her predictions.
The name Kassandra is derived from the Greek words "kassien", meaning "to excel or surpass", and "andr(os)", meaning "man". It is often spelled with two 's's, although variations such as Cassandra and Cassandre are also commonly used. The name has been popular throughout history and has been borne by several notable figures.
In ancient Greece, Kassandra was a daughter of King Priam of Troy and his wife Hecuba. She was given the gift of prophecy by Apollo but was cursed by him so that her prophecies would never be believed. This curse played a significant role in the fall of Troy, as Kassandra warned her fellow Trojans about the wooden horse that the Greeks left outside their city gates.
Throughout history, many women have been named Kassandra or Cassandra, and the name has inspired several works of literature and art. One famous example is the poem "Cassandra" by the French poet Leconte de Lisle, which tells the story of the Trojan princess's tragic fate.
Today, the name Kassandra continues to be popular around the world, particularly in countries such as Greece, France, Spain, and Germany. It is often associated with intelligence, independence, and strength, reflecting its original Greek meaning. Overall, Kassandra is a powerful and memorable name with a rich history that spans thousands of years.
The name Kassandra has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past eight decades in the United States. In the 1940s, there were an average of 6 births per year with the name Kassandra. This number remained relatively stable until 1957 when there was a notable increase to 20 births that year.
The trend continued upwards throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, reaching a peak of 32 births in 1963 and 83 births in both 1973 and 1974. However, the late 1970s saw another decline in popularity, with only 61 births recorded in 1975.
The 1980s marked a turning point for the name Kassandra, as it began to gain significant traction once again. There were 190 births in 1981, and this number continued to rise steadily throughout the decade, reaching an all-time high of 2731 births in 1993.
However, like other names that have reached extreme popularity, Kassandra experienced a decline in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 2005, there were only 870 births with the name Kassandra.
Since then, the popularity of the name has continued to fluctuate but remains relatively steady. As of 2023, approximately 191 babies are named Kassandra each year in the United States. Overall, since 1945, there have been a total of 33117 births with the name Kassandra in the U.S., making it a beloved and enduring choice for parents throughout different eras.