Home › Baby Names Directory › Cassian

Cassian

♂ Boy

Pronounced KASH-un /ˈkæʃ.ən/High

Meaning: From the Roman family name Cassius, derived from Latin 'cassus' meaning hollow, empty, or vain; borne by the early Christian monk John Cassian and several saintsHigh

In 30 seconds: Cassian is a distinguished Roman name from the Cassius clan meaning 'hollow.' It gained Christian gravitas through the early monk John Cassian, and has become a striking, rare choice for boys who love Roman history.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighLatin
MeaningFrom the Roman family name Cassius, derived from Latin 'cassus' meaning hollow, empty, or vain; borne by the early Christian monk John Cassian and several saints
U.S. rank (2025)#479 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births633 boys (0.03% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,889

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202519972025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Cassian is derived from the Roman family name Cassius, from Latin cassus (hollow, empty). The Cassii were a distinguished Roman patrician family, including the conspirator Gaius Cassius Longinus. The Christian form Cassianus was borne by several early saints, most notably John Cassian, a foundational figure in Western Christian monasticism.

Cassian has been used in Catholic communities through devotion to Saint Cassian and John Cassian. In the modern United States it has gained attention partly through the Star Wars character Cassian Andor (Rogue One, 2016), which introduced the name to a new generation. It now appears in U.S. naming charts with growing frequency.

Did you know? John Cassian (c. 360–435 AD) was a Christian monk and theologian whose writings on prayer, virtue, and monastic life influenced Western monasticism for centuries — and whose name is now enjoying a quiet modern revival.
Overall data confidence 87%
Behind the Name — Cassian — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

CassiusCassianusCaspian

Nicknames

CasCass

Famous Bearers

  • ★John Cassian (c. 360–435)
    Christian monk and theologian (c. 360–435 AD), influential in Western monasticism
  • ★Cassian Andor
    Fictional Rebel Alliance officer in the Star Wars film Rogue One (2016)

If you like Cassian…

Cassius— the fuller Roman form from which Cassian directly derives
Caspian— shares the rare, flowing quality and the same literary/fantasy association
Fabian— shares the Roman noble family name origin and the same refined character
Dorian— equally rare and literary with the same subtle, cultured masculinity

Frequently Asked

What does Cassian mean?

Cassian derives from the Roman Cassius, from Latin 'cassus' meaning hollow or empty. Despite this literal meaning, the name carries the weight of Roman nobility and early Christian scholarship.

How do you pronounce Cassian?

Cassian is pronounced KASH-un /ˈkæʃ.ən/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Cassian a popular name?

Cassian is relatively rare but growing, particularly after the Star Wars character Cassian Andor brought attention to the name. It appeals to parents who want something distinctive with Roman gravitas.

Who was John Cassian?

John Cassian was a 4th-5th century Christian monk whose writings on prayer and monastic life were foundational for Western monasticism, influencing Saint Benedict among others.