Cassandra is a feminine given name of Greek origin, derived from the mythological figure of Cassandra, a princess of Troy who had the ability to see into the future but was cursed so that no one would believe her prophecies.
The name Cassandra has gained popularity in recent times due to its unique sound and its association with intelligence, beauty, and tragedy. It is composed of two elements: "kassia," meaning "excellent" or "exalted," and "-andra," which means "man." Thus, the name can be interpreted as "excelling man" or "exalted man."
In Greek mythology, Cassandra was the daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy. She was given the gift of prophecy by the god Apollo but refused to fulfill her part of their bargain - marrying him - after she received his gift. As punishment, Apollo cursed her so that while she would always see into the future, no one would believe her prophecies.
Cassandra played a significant role in the Trojan War. She foresaw the fall of Troy and warned her fellow Trojans about the Greek's Trojan Horse trick but was ignored by them due to Apollo's curse. Her tragic fate has made her a symbol of unheeded prophecy throughout history.
The name Cassandra first appeared in English literature in the late 14th century, thanks to Geoffrey Chaucer's "Troilus and Criseyde," where he refers to the heroine as "Cassandre." However, it was not commonly used until the mid-20th century. Today, Cassandra is a popular choice for parents seeking an elegant yet distinctive name for their daughters.
In various forms of art and culture, Cassandra has been depicted as a tragic figure whose fate serves as a cautionary tale about pride and disdain towards the divine. Despite her unfortunate story, however, the name Cassandra continues to inspire admiration and curiosity due to its rich history and unique meaning.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe an intriguing trend regarding the number of births with the name Cassandra in the United States over the past century.
In the early 20th century, between 1902 and 1934, the number of babies named Cassandra remained relatively low, fluctuating between 5 and 16 births per year. However, starting from 1935, there was a significant increase in the popularity of this name.
From 1935 to 1950, the annual number of births with the name Cassandra ranged from 42 to 689, demonstrating a steady growth in its usage. The peak of this trend occurred between 1957 and 1968, during which time more than 1000 babies were named Cassandra annually, reaching an all-time high of 2303 births in 1968.
However, following this peak, the popularity of the name began to decline. Between 1970 and 1985, the annual number of births with the name Cassandra ranged from 1355 to 4989, indicating a decrease in its usage compared to the previous decades.
From 1986 onwards, the popularity of the name Cassandra continued to fluctuate, but at a generally lower level than during the peak years. Between 1986 and 2023, the annual number of births with this name ranged from 3305 to 456, indicating a decrease in its usage compared to previous decades.
In total, over the past century, there have been approximately 170059 babies named Cassandra born in the United States. These statistics provide valuable insights into the changing trends of naming practices in American society during this period.