Cassandra is a female given name of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek word "kassandra," which means "excel or excel oneself." The name Cassandra is also associated with the mythological figure of the same name, who was a princess of Troy and a prophetess cursed to predict future tragedies but never be believed.
In Greek mythology, Cassandra was the daughter of King Priam of Troy and his wife Hecuba. She was given the gift of prophecy by the god Apollo, but when she refused to fulfill her part of their bargain, he cursed her so that no one would ever believe her prophecies. This curse played a significant role in the Trojan War, as Cassandra predicted the fall of Troy but could not prevent it.
Despite its tragic associations with the mythological figure, the name Cassandra has been popular throughout history. It was used by several notable historical figures, including two Byzantine empresses and a Russian princess. Today, Cassandra remains a popular choice for parents looking for unique and meaningful names for their daughters.
The statistics provided show the annual births of the name Cassandra in the United States from 1963 to 1989. During this period, there were a total of 55 babies named Cassandra.
The years with the highest number of Cassandra births were 1967 and 1971, each with 10 births. In contrast, the years with the lowest number of Cassandra births were 1963, 1969, 1972, 1978, and 1986, each with only 5 births.
It's interesting to note that there was a period between 1970 and 1989 where the number of Cassandra births remained relatively consistent, ranging from 5 to 6 births per year. However, the popularity of the name Cassandra appeared to peak in 1967 and 1971 before declining slightly over time.
Overall, these statistics provide insight into the trends of naming babies Cassandra in the United States during this specific time period.