The name Cassia is of Latin origin and it means "cinnamon." It is derived from the botanical name for cinnamon, Cinnamomum cassia, which was named after a tree found in Southeast Asia. The name Cassia has been used as a given name since the Middle Ages, but it gained popularity during the 20th century and has continued to be popular today.
In literature, one of the most notable appearances of the name Cassia is in "The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare. In the play, Cassio is a character who serves as the lieutenant to the protagonist, Othello. The name has also been used in other works of literature and popular culture, such as in the young adult novel series "The Selection" by Kiera Cass.
Overall, the name Cassia is a unique and distinctive choice for a given name, with a rich history and an interesting meaning behind it. It is a name that has stood the test of time and continues to be popular today.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe the trends of the name Cassia among newborns in the United States from 1954 to 2023.
Starting from the late 1950s and early 1960s, the name Cassia appeared infrequently, with an average of less than 8 births per year. However, beginning in the late 1970s, there was a notable increase in its popularity, reaching over 20 births per year consistently from 1977 onwards.
The peak of popularity for the name Cassia occurred during the early to mid-1980s when it reached as high as 42 births in 1988. This period marked a significant rise in its usage compared to previous years.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the number of newborn girls named Cassia hovered around the mid-30s to low 40s per year. After reaching an all-time high of 78 births in 2018, it has since stabilized at around 60-70 births annually.
In conclusion, while the name Cassia has not been one of the most popular choices for newborn girls in the United States over the past seven decades, it has nonetheless maintained a consistent presence. Its popularity peaked during the mid-1980s but has since stabilized at a moderate level.