Gender Feminine
Scripts Κασσάνδρα(Ancient Greek)
Pronounced Pron. kə-SAN-drə(English) kə-SAHN-drə(English)  [key·IPA]

Meaning & History

From the Greek name Κασσάνδρα (Kassandra), possibly derived from κέκασμαι (kekasmai) meaning "to excel, to shine" and ἀνήρ (aner) meaning "man" (genitive ἀνδρός). In Greek myth Cassandra was a Trojan princess, the daughter of Priam and Hecuba. She was given the gift of prophecy by Apollo, but when she spurned his advances he cursed her so nobody would believe her prophecies.

In the Middle Ages this name was common in England due to the popularity of medieval tales about the Trojan War. It subsequently became rare, but was revived in the 20th century.

Related Names

VariantsKasandra, Kassandra(English) Cassandre(French) Kassandra(Greek Mythology)
DiminutivesCass, Cassie, Cassy, Kassie, Kassy(English)
Other Languages & CulturesKassandra(Ancient Greek) Kasandra(Polish) Casandra(Romanian) Casandra(Spanish)

People think this name is

classic   mature   formal   upper class   natural   wholesome   strong   refined   strange   complex   serious  

Images

Depiction of the Trojan princess Cassandra by Evelyn De Morgan (1898)Depiction of the Trojan princess Cassandra by Evelyn De Morgan (1898)

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Entry updated June 9, 2023