Cass Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: Kass //kæs//
Origin: Latin; English
Meaning: Latin: 'hollow'; English: diminutive of Cassandra
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Cass has its roots in various linguistic traditions, primarily deriving from the Latin name "Cassius," which is believed to originate from the Latin verb "cassare," meaning "to break" or "to destroy." This name was further influenced by the Greek form "Kassios," which was associated with the ancient Greek word for "empty" or "hollow." The transition into English occurred through the adoption of the name in the Roman Empire, where it was borne by notable figures, including the Roman general Gaius Cassius Longinus, a key conspirator in the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE. The name's journey into English was facilitated by the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, during which many Latin and Greek names were integrated into the English lexicon, often through Old French adaptations.
Historically, the name Cass has been linked to various significant figures and events. In addition to Gaius Cassius, the name has been associated with saints and early Christian martyrs, contributing to its enduring presence in Christian contexts.
The name appears in various historical texts and translations, including the Vulgate Bible, where Latin names were often translated into vernacular forms, further embedding them into the cultural fabric of Europe. The name Cassius, in particular, gained prominence during the Renaissance, when classical names were revived and celebrated in literature and art.
Culturally, Cass has resonated through its associations with strength and resilience, stemming from its etymological roots. The name has been used in various literary and artistic works, symbolizing themes of ambition and conflict, particularly in relation to its historical bearers.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as Cassie have emerged, reflecting a softer, more affectionate variant of the name. Overall, the name Cass encapsulates a rich historical narrative, embodying a blend of linguistic evolution and cultural significance that has allowed it to endure through the centuries.
Famous people named Cass
In this section, you will find notable people named Cass. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Cass who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Cass who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Cass Elliot is a singer and actress best known for her work with The Mamas & the Papas, and her solo hit "Dream a Little Dream of Me.".
Cass Sunstein is a legal scholar and professor best known for his work on behavioral economics and regulatory policy.
Cass McCombs is a musician best known for his albums such as "Catacombs," "Wit’s End," and "Mangy Love.".
Fictional characters named Cass
The following list of fictional characters named Cass is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Cass is a fictional character from the book series The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. She is a Shadowhunter who plays a significant role in the fight against demons and other supernatural threats.
Cass is a fictional character from the animated series Steven Universe. They are a member of the Crystal Gems and contribute to the team's efforts to protect Earth from various dangers.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Cass, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Cass. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Cass was first seen in the United States in 1881.
Cass has ranked as high as #1153 nationally, which occurred in 1989, and has been most popular in California, Michigan, Texas, Tennessee, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Cass has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Cass is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Cass was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Cass (2022)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Cass.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 18 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2022 | 23 |
| 2021 | 34 |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2019 | 24 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2017 | 28 |
| 2016 | 29 |
| 2015 | 20 |
| 2014 | 23 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2011 | 24 |
| 2010 | 30 |
| 2009 | 24 |
| 2008 | 20 |
| 2007 | 19 |
| 2006 | 14 |
| 2005 | 16 |
| 2004 | 16 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2002 | 13 |
| 2001 | 13 |
| 2000 | 17 |
| 1999 | 13 |
| 1998 | 15 |
| 1997 | 17 |
| 1996 | 15 |
| 1995 | 14 |
| 1994 | 14 |
| 1993 | 14 |
| 1992 | 19 |
| 1991 | 34 |
| 1990 | 29 |
| 1989 | 43 |
| 1988 | 26 |
| 1987 | 29 |
| 1986 | 31 |
| 1985 | 23 |
| 1984 | 23 |
| 1983 | 29 |
| 1982 | 11 |
| 1981 | 13 |
| 1980 | 14 |
| 1979 | 20 |
| 1978 | 15 |
| 1977 | 19 |
| 1976 | 18 |
| 1975 | 18 |
| 1974 | 10 |
| 1973 | 16 |
| 1972 | 23 |
| 1971 | 32 |
| 1970 | 26 |
| 1969 | 25 |
| 1968 | 12 |
| 1967 | 17 |
| 1966 | 22 |
| 1965 | 15 |
| 1964 | 21 |
| 1963 | 18 |
| 1962 | 22 |
| 1961 | 28 |
| 1960 | 42 |
| 1959 | 24 |
| 1958 | 19 |
| 1957 | 15 |
| 1956 | 11 |
| 1955 | 12 |
| 1954 | 21 |
| 1953 | 22 |
| 1952 | 18 |
| 1951 | 16 |
| 1950 | 12 |
| 1949 | 17 |
| 1948 | 14 |
| 1947 | 5 |
| 1946 | 17 |
| 1945 | 6 |
| 1944 | 7 |
| 1943 | 8 |
| 1942 | 9 |
| 1940 | 6 |
| 1939 | 7 |
| 1938 | 5 |
| 1935 | 7 |
| 1933 | 5 |
| 1932 | 5 |
| 1931 | 9 |
| 1930 | 5 |
| 1928 | 5 |
| 1927 | 6 |
| 1926 | 13 |
| 1925 | 8 |
| 1924 | 9 |
| 1923 | 12 |
| 1922 | 10 |
| 1921 | 12 |
| 1920 | 6 |
| 1919 | 7 |
| 1918 | 11 |
| 1917 | 12 |
| 1916 | 15 |
| 1915 | 11 |
| 1914 | 5 |
| 1913 | 5 |
| 1912 | 7 |
| 1910 | 6 |
| 1906 | 5 |
| 1904 | 7 |
| 1900 | 5 |
| 1897 | 6 |
| 1884 | 6 |
| 1881 | 7 |