Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Cassandra

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Cassandra?

The surname Cassandra is of Greek origin. It is derived from the name Kassandra, a character in Greek mythology. Kassandra was a Trojan princess who was given the gift of prophecy by Apollo but also cursed so that no one would believe her predictions. This name has been used as a surname, particularly among people of Greek descent, and it is also found in other cultures due to historical migrations and cultural influences.
Want to turn this name into a keepsake? Give a star certificate in their name.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Cassandra

The meaning and origin of the last name Cassandra

The surname Cassandra has Greek origins, derived from the mythological figure Cassandra in Greek mythology. In the Trojan War narrative, Cassandra was a priestess of Apollo who was given the gift of prophecy but cursed so that no one would believe her predictions. This name subsequently evolved into a common surname in various countries. Its meaning is often interpreted as "she who entices all men," combining the words "Kassan-" (meaning "entice") and "-andra" (meaning "woman"). The name's popularity spread beyond Greece, notably to England and other European nations, where it became a recognizable surname.

Geographical distribution of the last name Cassandra

The surname Cassandra is distributed globally, with significant concentrations found across various regions due to historical migrations and cultural influences. In Europe, it's most prevalent in countries such as Greece, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, reflecting its origin from ancient Greek mythology. In North America, it can be found among populations of European descent, particularly in the United States and Canada. Additionally, due to the diaspora, Cassandra is also present in several African and Asian countries, such as South Africa, India, and Australia, where there are sizeable communities of people with European ancestry. The distribution of the surname Cassandra reflects both its historical roots and the global dispersal of populations with European heritage.

Variants and spellings of the last name Cassandra

The surname Cassandra has multiple variants and spelling versions, largely due to differences in transliteration and regional pronunciation. Some common variations include Casandra, Kassandra, and Cassandre, reflecting the Greek, English, and French languages respectively. Additionally, there are regional dialects that may further alter the spelling, such as Cassandry or Kasandrakis. In terms of etymology, the name Cassandra is derived from the Greek name Κασσάνδρα (Kassandra), which means "she who entangles men's minds" and was named after a Trojan princess in Greek mythology.

Famous people with the last name Cassandra

Cassandra is a surname shared by several prominent individuals across various fields. In the world of entertainment, Cassandra Peterson, also known as Elvira, Mysterio of Hollywood, is a well-known American actress, television personality, and model, best recognized for her role as the horror hostess, Elvira. In literature, Cassandra Clare is a renowned British-American novelist who writes young adult fiction, notably the Mortal Instruments series and The Infernal Devices trilogy. In politics, Cassandra Chandler served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights during President Bill Clinton's administration. Lastly, in sports, Cassandra Duarte is a Brazilian judoka who won a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. These are a few examples of individuals bearing the surname Cassandra who have made significant contributions to their respective fields.

Genealogical research on the last name Cassandra

The last name Cassandra has Greek origins, derived from the mythological figure Cassandra, a Trojan princess famed for her prophetic abilities but doomed to have her predictions ignored. As a surname, it emerged during the Middle Ages and spread across Europe through several migrations and colonization events. Notable bearers of the name include Cassandra Bernarldine Kennedy, the first female U.S. Secretary of State, and Cassandra Clare, a best-selling author known for her young adult novels. In England, variations of the name include Casandra, Kassandra, and Kassandr(a). In Scotland, it is sometimes spelled as Cassandrae or Cassandre. The name's popularity has fluctuated over time but has remained fairly consistent in some areas, particularly in the United States and England.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Casabal

Last name • surnames > casabal

The last name Casabal is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Spanish words "casa", meaning house, and "bal", a regional suffix indicating the location of a specific type of h...

#2 Casabiel

Last name • surnames > casabiel

Casabiel is a surname of Spanish origin. It is likely derived from the Spanish word "casa" meaning house or home, combined with the suffix "biel" which is possibly a variation of t...

#3 Casabuena boston

Last name • surnames > casabuena-boston

The surname Casabuena Boston is of Spanish origin. "Casa" means house in Spanish, and "Buena" means good, so the name could possibly mean "good house" or "nice home" in English.

#4 Casado

Last name • surnames > casado

The last name "Casado" is of Spanish origin. It is a surname that is derived from the Spanish word "casado," which means "married" or "wedded." This surname likely originated as a ...

#5 Casafrancisco

Last name • surnames > casafrancisco

The last name "Casafrancisco" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the words "casa" meaning "house" and "Francisco" referring to the given name Francisco, which is a common Spa...

#6 Casafus

Last name • surnames > casafus

The Spanish last name Casafus is of Catalan origin. It is derived from the word "casa" meaning "house" and the suffix "-fus" which likely signifies a location or characteristic of ...

#7 Casai

Last name • surnames > casai

The surname Casai is of Italian origin. It is believed to be derived from the Italian word "casale," which means "farmhouse" or "rural house." The name might have been originally u...

#8 Casais

Last name • surnames > casais

The surname Casais is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the term "casal", which means house or farm in Spanish. The name Casais was initially a place name, attributed to people...

#9 Casaje

Last name • surnames > casaje

The last name "Casaje" is of Spanish origin. It is believed to be a surname derived from the Spanish word "casar," which means "to marry" or "to join in marriage." It is likely tha...

#10 Casalamitao

Last name • surnames > casalamitao

The last name "Casalamitao" originates from the Philippines. It is a Spanish-derived surname that is likely of Spanish or Filipino descent.

#11 Casalderrey

Last name • surnames > casalderrey

The surname "Casalderrey" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically one that refers to a castle or fortified house on a hill or clearing (in Latin, "castr...

#12 Casaled

Last name • surnames > casaled

The surname Casaleda is believed to have Italian origins, specifically from the region of Lombardy. It is derived from the term "casale" which means a small farm or rural dwelling....

#13 Casalegno

Last name • surnames > casalegno

The last name Casalegno is of Italian origin. It is derived from the word "casale" which means "farmstead" or "country house" in Italian. The suffix "-egno" is a common Italian suf...

#14 Casalengua

Last name • surnames > casalengua

The last name Casalengua is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Spanish words "casa" meaning "house" and "lengua" meaning "tongue" or "language". It is possible that this sur...

#15 Casalino

Last name • surnames > casalino

The surname Casalino has Italian origins and is derived from the term "casale," which means small farmhouse or villa. In Italy, many last names evolved from occupation, place of or...