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Cassius

♂ Boy

Pronounced KASH-ee-us /ˈkæʃ.i.əs/High

Meaning: From the Roman family name Cassius, possibly derived from Latin cassus meaning 'hollow,' 'empty,' or 'vain'; the exact etymology is debated, with some scholars suggesting a pre-Latin originMedium

In 30 seconds: Cassius is a grand Roman patrician name with centuries of historical weight and a 20th-century champion's glow. Bold, rhythmic, and rising fast on modern birth charts.
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Origin HighLatin
MeaningFrom the Roman family name Cassius, possibly derived from Latin cassus meaning 'hollow,' 'empty,' or 'vain'; the exact etymology is debated, with some scholars suggesting a pre-Latin origin
U.S. rank (2025)#583 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births504 boys (0.03% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2021
Total births (all-time)≈ 9,734

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202118802025

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

History & Origin

Cassius is an ancient Roman gens (clan) name, carried by one of the most storied families of the Republic. The most famous bearer, Gaius Cassius Longinus, was a principal conspirator in the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. Shakespeare immortalized him in Julius Caesar, giving the name literary resonance alongside its historical gravitas.

After centuries of dormancy in common use, Cassius returned to American birth records in the mid-20th century, partly through Muhammad Ali's birth name Cassius Clay. It has surged dramatically since the 2010s as parents seek bold, classical names beyond the usual top-ten, and now ranks firmly in the top 300.

Did you know? Cassius Clay — birth name of Muhammad Ali — was named after the 19th-century abolitionist Cassius Marcellus Clay, who was himself named after the Roman conspirator Gaius Cassius Longinus, creating a three-generation thread of history in a single name.
Overall data confidence 84%
Behind the Name — Cassius — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

CassCassian

Nicknames

CassCash

Famous Bearers

  • ★Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) (1942–2016)
    American heavyweight boxing champion, widely regarded as the greatest boxer of all time.

If you like Cassius…

Atticus— Roman-era literary name with the same patrician grandeur and modern intellectual appeal
Augustus— grand Latin name with the same ancient Roman pedigree and bold sound
Cassian— closely related Roman name sharing the same Cassius root
Maximus— three-syllable Latin classic with the same powerful, ancient Roman character

Frequently Asked

What does the name Cassius mean?

Cassius is a Roman family name possibly derived from Latin cassus meaning 'hollow' or 'empty,' though its exact etymology is debated.

How do you pronounce Cassius?

It is said KASH-ee-us — three syllables with stress on the first.

Is Cassius a boy or girl name?

Cassius is used exclusively as a boys' name.

How popular is Cassius?

Cassius has surged in the U.S. top charts since the 2010s and now ranks in the top 300 boys' names.