Baby Names Trends: Cassia, Caspian and Cash
Here in our baby name bubble, in case you haven’t noticed, we tend to parse every element of every name for hints of incipient baby name trends. This would include first syllables, middle letters (like the current x), and endings like en and er for boys.
Just recently we’ve been noticing some suddenly increased attention focused on a group of Latinate names starting with the syllable Cas, which seem to be marching ahead in tandem. They all have a soft a sound, eliminating such oldies as Casey– and the Cas element is often pronounced Cash.
Here are the main contenders in this latest of baby name trends:
Cassia—This lovely, elegant name carries the scent of cinnamon, which is what its meaning is in Greek.
Cassius and
Cassian —Has the stylish Roman feel of names like Atticus; associated (not in the best way) with Julius Caesar, and also with abolitionist Cassius Clay, who inspired the birth name of Muhammad Ali. Variation Cassian is an ancient saints’ name primed to burst onto the modern scene ala Asher.
Caspian—Has a romantic image owing largely to The Chronicles of Narnia’s Prince Caspian, and is also a water/nature name via the salty Caspian Sea.
Cashel—A neglected Irish classic that could provide an uncommon route to the nickname Cash, similar in sound to the ascending Dashiell. Cashel was picked for their son by Rebecca Miller and Daniel Day Lewis.
Castor—One of the mythological twins that make up the constellation Gemini, Castor is on the cutting edge of fashion. Metallica’s James Hetfield was ahead of the curve when he chose it for his son in 2000.
Casper—Though not Latin-based, Casper—the Dutch form of the hip Jasper—does seem to fit into this group. Having pretty much shed its old ghostly image, it’s beginning to be seen as a stylish, formerly funky choice, after being stashed in the attic since 1933. Claudia Schiffer and Jenny Frost have sons named Casper, while name-contrarian Jason Lee picked it for his little girl.
Cassiopeia—The intriguing if somewhat bulky five-syllable name of a Greek mythological queen, the inspiration for a northern constellation appellation. Cassiopeia Black is a pure-blood witch in the Harry Potter novels, and the name has appeared in several video games and pop and rock songs.
Casimir—A Cas-name brought over by immigrants from Poland, where it is a saint’s and royal name, and has a peaceful vibe via Casimir the Pacific, a renowned eleventh-century monarch. New Jerseyites will recognize the connection to Casimir Pulaski, the Polish general who fought in the American Revolution, after whom the Pulaski Skyway was named.
SHORT FORMS
Cass—Once a popular unisex nickname name—it even made the Top 1000 a century ago—Cass can be remembered as the stage name of Mama Cass Elliot (born Ellen) and the eponymous hero of the Sinclair Lewis novel Cass Timberlane. Maybe with the new interest in Cas-names and preference for short boys’ names, Cass could make a comeback.
Cassie—One of the relaxed and friendly retro nicknames with a country feel that was revived in the 1980s (when it hit Number 137), Cassie now looks like it could be headed for a second restoration. A onetime soap opera staple, it was later seen on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Skins. After the long-running spate of Kates, Cassie can make a fresher nickname for Catherine.
Cash—Cash is king, when it comes to the names on this list. It popped onto the registry in 2003 at #966, and seven years later it’s at 261, picked by several celebs and seeming to get hotter every year, in inverse proportion to the credit crisis. Actor Cash Warren is dad to Jessica Alba’s daughters Honor and Haven.
NOT SO NEW
Cassandra—The lovely Cassandra, with its Greek mythical overtones, had its moment of glory as a Top 70 name throughout the 1990s. Less popular now, but still appealing.
Cassidy—This Irish-Western surname ambled onto the boys’ and girls’ lists at just about the same time—in the early 80s—but it wasn’t long before it was completely lassoed by the girls—quite probably at least partly due to Kathie Lee Gifford’s dropping her daughter’s name almost daily when there was still a Regis & Kathie Lee. Cassidy is still hanging in on the girls’ list at Number 248, but has all but hopped-along for the cowboys.
SOME WORD NAME POSSIBILITIES
Cascade—A waterfall name with an energetic flow that can fit right in with the trend for aquatic names, and is also the name of a range of mountains. Downside: a brand of dishwasher detergent as well.
Cashmere—Evocative of the soft and elegant goat’s wool. When spelled Kashmir, it turns geographic.
Castle—Has a nice fairy tale/King Arthurian feel; a word name that still has access to the nickname Cass.
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25 Responses to “Baby Names Trends: Cassia, Caspian and Cash”
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laurbails Says:
Chas Says:
I’m not so sure about Castor. It’s the French word for beaver.
i.heart.nerds Says:
I do like Casper, but I like Jasper a little bit new 
l0emkb Says:
Cassia and Caspian have been near the top of my list for a while, Cassiopeia is very nice but a bit of a mouthful
i.heart.nerds Says:
*more
skizzo Says:
I like Cascada, but Cascada or Cascata work better on a girl. I like Cassidy for a boy, also Caspian. Still not sold on the usability of Casper though…
Lola Says:
Cassius & Casimir sit high on our boy list, I am wildly in love with Cass on a boy. I also toy with Magnus/Maggie/Mag(s) because I find Mag- very hard and rather ugly sounding, not fit for a girl. I’m not fond of Cassie on a girl either. Blah. No offense meant.
agirlinred Says:
I love Cassia and Casper. I think Cass/Cassie/Cassidy would be awesome on a boy.
Rin Says:
*sigh* I love Caspian, but with Cross as a last name, and the NN Cas as a possibility it just isn’t going to happen!
tavn Says:
I love Cassius, Cassian, Caspian, & Cash. I’ve been a fan of Cassius and Cash for a while, but recently added it to our list.
tavn Says:
I will say that while I love that Cassian is a less used variant of Cassius, it sounds too much like “cash in” for us to actually use it.
Sarah A Says:
I absolutely love Caspian. It’s romantic without being overt like Romeo or Heathcliff. And there aren’t that many great 3-syllable boys names. Rafferty and Caspian would make great brothers!
MaryB Says:
The name Casper first caught my attention as a viable possibility when I saw the movie “Kids” back in the 90′s. The best friend of the protagonist is named Casper and I remember liking the name although he was a shady character in the movie.
I seriously considered both Cassandra and Cassidy for my second daughter (Lynette) but I have an aunt named Sandra and I felt that was too close and I have a son Kody and I def. didn’t want a Kody and Cassidy! People would think I was a Kathy Lee Gifford groupie.
Back in 2007 when I was expecting my son(before I knew it was a boy) I decided I really liked the name Cashmere (spelled Kashmere) for a girl. When I mentioned this idea to my family, they looked at me as if they were legitimately worried I had lost my sanity. I had actually heard the name while watching an episode of the MTV reality show “Juvies” which showed various teens arrested and detained in an Indiana juvenile lockup. One girl arrested for pretending to ring up her friends merchandise but not charging her was named Kashmiere. I thought her named sounded lovely and she was obviously proud of it as they showed her making an artistic poster featuring her name during rec time. This girl was prob born around 1990 so her mom gets points for a creative and risky choice.
Lellbell Says:
Wow! We named our daughter Cassia almost four years ago. Looks like we were ahead of the trend, but I hope it doesn’t become wildly popular. I’ve only met one other Cassia and she was in her mid thirties.
zoghart Says:
What about Cashlin? It’s an unusual name that could be substituted for Ashlyn or Ashley. Plus it’s fun to say!
KristinJay Says:
We named our first son Cashel – I love it! So far, I’m only aware of two others, neither of whom we’ve actually met in person.
butterflyishida Says:
Cas is an adorable nickname. My favourite way to get to it is Castiel. Ya, a tv name but what a role model to name your child for!
CassieCake Says:
I love being Cassie. Though I myself am a country girl, I never thought it had a “country feel”. I think Cassie is fun flirty and SASSIE! haha
R_J Says:
I knew a Cassiopeia in high school and you guessed it- she went by Cassie. Pretty name though. I love the name Cassia. (What a lovely choice Lellbell!)
what is fashion trends Says:
what is fashion trends…
[...]Baby Name Trends: Cassia, Caspian and Cash – Baby Name Blog – Nameberry[...]…
StrixOniro Says:
I’ve loved Cassia for about a year or so, and Cassian and Caspian have also been on my list for a few weeks. I’m not a fan of Cassidy, but the rest I like.
MamaMaassy Says:
Caspian is one of our final four names for our December baby – we just need to wait and see if baby is a he, and if he looks like a Cas (we started with that as a nickname and picked Caspian as our favourite long form).
BrittanyM Says:
I cannot think of castor without the oil part. Which is a shame, because one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard is an aria from Castor et Pollux called “Tristes apprĂŞts” and would love it as a naming inspiration.
Baby Names Trend: Camilla, Willa, Priscilla–the new killer ‘illa’ names – Baby Name Blog – Nameberry Says:
[...] blogger Angela  Mastrodonato, of Upswing Baby Names spots an impending baby names trend: names ending in ‘illa’ replacing the ubiquitous [...]
Emppu Says:
I love the name Cassian, and Casper, only spelled Caspar!
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I know a toddler (boy) named Cas. Nothing more, nothing less.