Kasandra is a female given name of Greek origin. Its meaning and history are deeply rooted in ancient mythology.
The name Kasandra is derived from the Greek word "kassandra", which means "she who excels over men". In Greek mythology, Cassandra was a daughter of King Priam of Troy. She was gifted with the ability to see into the future but was cursed so that no one would believe her prophecies.
Cassandra's most famous prophecy was predicting the fall of Troy, which was ultimately fulfilled when the Trojan War ended with the city's destruction. Despite her warnings, none of her fellow Trojans believed her predictions and thus ignored them.
The name Kasandra has been popular in various cultures throughout history. In ancient Greece, it was a common name for young girls due to its positive connotation of excellence over men. Today, Kasandra remains a popular choice among parents looking for unique yet meaningful names for their daughters.
In literature, the character of Cassandra has appeared in many works, most notably in "The Trojan Women" by Euripides and "Agamemnon" by Aeschylus. Her story continues to inspire artists and writers today, making Kasandra a timeless and captivating name with deep roots in mythology and history.
The name Kasandra has seen a fascinating journey in terms of popularity over the years in the United States. Beginning with just five births recorded in 1943, it gradually gained traction, peaking at a high of 365 births in 2001.
Interestingly, from the 1980s onwards, there was a significant increase in the number of babies named Kasandra. The year 1981 marked a turning point with 122 births, and this figure continued to rise over the following decades. In fact, between 1987 and 1994, the name Kasandra consistently remained among the top 1000 most popular names for newborn girls in the U.S.
However, like many names that gain popularity, Kasandra's trend began to decline from its peak around the year 2000. By 2022, there were only 18 births recorded with the name Kasandra, indicating a significant decrease from previous decades.
Despite this recent decline in popularity, it is worth noting that over the entire period from 1943 to 2023, a total of 9432 babies were named Kasandra at birth in the United States. This figure underscores the enduring appeal and recognition of the name across generations.