The baby name Cassius is straight out of the ancient world, but it also feels like a perfect pick for the 2020s and beyond.
Thanks to Lola for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
MORE THAN THE MEANING
Like some names, the baby name Cassius comes with a less than appealing meaning. In this case, it’s from the Latin cassus – empty or vain.
But this Roman family name comes with a rich history. Here are three that dot the history books:
- Cassius Chaerea was a Roman soldier, remembered by history for assassinating mad emperor Caligula.
- Cassius Dio was a Roman public servant and noted historian. He managed to sum up the story of Rome in a mere 80 volumes.
- Gaius Cassius Longinus served as a senator and participated in the conspiracy against Julius Caesar.
Several early saints followed. The best known Saint Cassius served as bishop of Narni in Umbria in the 500s. He was widely known for his good works and charitable endeavors.
THE ORIGINAL CASSIUS CLAY
Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali started out life as Cassius Clay.
Where did he get his unusual name? The short answer: his dad. Clay was a junior.
Cassius Marcellus Clay, Sr. was named for famed abolitionist Cassius Clay – and, indeed, Cassius Sr.’s father was descended from a slave once owned by the Clay family.
While he’s not a household name today, the wealthy, privileged Kentucky politician who became a leader in the emancipation movement during the 1830s and 40s was a nationally-known figure.
MUHAMMAD ALI
Say Cassius Clay today, though, and many will think of Muhammad Ali.
Born in 1942, the three-time World Heavyweight champ and Olympic gold medalist is nicknamed “The Greatest.” Sports Illustrated once called him the 20th century’s greatest athlete.
He’s known to history by the name he adopted on his conversion to Islam.
Ali passed away in 2016, but remains such a widely recognized figure that even his birth name is familiar to many.
NICKNAME CASH
The baby name Cassius succeeds, though, because it shortens to Cash.
Cash is an immediately cool, edgy kind of choice. It’s Johnny Cash and Cash-is-King. It’s a cousin to Dash and Nash.
But it’s not necessarily a complete given name, and so it’s no surprise that many formal name options for Cash are catching on.
Cassius doesn’t need to be shortened, but if you’re so inclined? A great nickname is built in.
BY the NUMBERS
In the late nineteenth century, the baby name Cassius occasionally appeared in the US Top 1000.
It ranked for a single year, in 1964, at #862. That was relatively early in the boxer’s career. But later in 1964, Ali adopted his new name and Cassius fell off the charts again.
Cassius made a comeback in 2008, returning to the rankings. As of 2023, the baby name Cassius stands at #576.
At #288, Cash is more popular. In fact, Kash-with-a-K ranked #261 as of 2023.
ANCIENT and POWERFUL
Combined, the name reads ancient, powerful, and elegant. There’s an undeniable strength to Cassius.
If you’re looking for a formal name for Cash, or something in the key of Atticus but not quite as popular, Cassius could be the perfect choice.
Thanks Laney, I think Cass-ee-a sounds a lot better than Cash-a too and would sound charming next to a big sister Anya. I’ll second your proposal for Cassia as name of the day, I’d be interested to learn about Athena too – Greek goddess of wisdom wasn’t she?
What about Cassia, Amaya, Melody, Athena, and Kaia as NOTD’s? I know Kaia might become trendy at some point at the rate the other K names are going, but at least she isn’t Kaylee or Karlee or whatever crappy names people come up with. Hana is another good one. It’s Japanese for “flower” and so underused. Too bad she is mistaken for Hannah alot. I knew a Hana in 9th grade and we got along well and I just love her name. Too bad I might have to cross it off my list because it is too close sounding to Anya.
Katharine, I’d pronounce Cassia as Cass-ee-a, but I have heard Kah-sha too. Cass-ee-a sounds nicer to me. Great name by the way. It’s sophisticated but so underused. My boyfriend and I are really thinking about using it if we have another girl. My first is named Anya Regina so we want another classic name to go with it. Still thinking of some good classy middle names to go with Cassia though. Our last name is Martin-McDonald, or at least it will be when my boyfriend and I marry. We decided to combine his last name and mine together. It sounds good so why change it. lol
I love Cassius. I am thinking about it but my boyfriend finds the -cass part of it too girly. The kid might end up being called Cassie by other people. Cassie is sweet for a girl, but for a boy, it would be a nightmare. I still really like Cassius though. Also, my youngest sister (who turns 13 on Thanksgiving day) is named Cassandra and she goes by Cassie so it might be confusing. I doubt she would mind though. She might even feel special that someone is being named after her.
I always thought he was pronouced Cass-ee-us, Cash-us is going to take a while to get my head around. What about Cassia – is she pronouced Cass-ee-a or Cash-a? Oh dear, you’ve really thrown me, I can’t believe I never even considered the ‘Cash’ pronouciation…
Although now I come to think about it, I’ve only really heard Casssius a couple of times and both via the media, so I suppose that goes some way to explaining my pronouciation ignorance. Lady Helen Taylor, a random British royal who occasionally graces the pages of our society magazines has children who are memorably called Columbus, Cassius, Eloise and Estella. Personally, I’m not so keen on the matchy double C, double E effect but lotherwise find the ensemble stately in a Latin way and I dare say, quite ‘cool’.
Likewise, a national radio DJ has children called India, Jude, Cassius and Coco Lux (the latter sounding more like a soap brand than a child but I digress!). Anyway, my (very lengthy) point is that I may only have heard Cassius used by so called ‘cool’ people and Cassius might be a ‘cool’ name – whatever that means, but he has so much more going for him than that. Cassius is one of the few daring (at least in my eyes) boys names that I really like. He sounds dashing, looks eye-catching and feels vibrant and artsy. He gets a big thumbs up from me – as does Lola’s combo of Cassius Barnaby Rex.
Photoquilty, I think your cousin is to be commended for realizing that Cash wouldn’t be a good choice for the birth certificate. Though I agree that “cool” alone is not enough for a child’s name selection.
Cassius Barnaby Rex … interesting. I guess I’m least confident of Barnbaby in the middle spot. Not Barnaby in general, mind you – just Barnaby in this combo. I almost feel like you need something like Cassius Edward Rex or Cassius Willem Rex.
Shannon, I’m fairly confident that everyone would say CASH us, but the similar-sounding (though unrelated) saint’s name is Cassian, and he is, indeed, cass EE an. But I think he’d be likely to be pronounced CASH uhn circa 2008, too.
That said, Lola, I like the idea of Cass as a nickname.
And Sophie, I deleted my references to Johnny Cash – he’s just nothing to do with Cassius proper – but he’s long been on my playlist. Then again, I’m not sure I would want a kid THAT cool. 🙂
It’s pronounced Cashus? or Cass-ee-us? I quite like it. My taste in names, especially for boys, is not very adventurous but I love to see what names others are choosing. Cash is OK for a nickname but I wouldn’t put it on the birth certificate.
You know, Lola, I’m slowly warming a little more to CBR. I’ve always rather liked him, despite my rather lukewarm feelings over Barnaby, but he is very endearing!
Anyway, I adore Cassius. I wasn’t brave enough to consider him whilst naming Oliver, but I’ve sucked it up! DH is practically in love with him, and he’s creeping up my boys list to a top 5 spot! We’re also considering Cassian & Cassiel, but Cassius is definitely the favourite! He’s very smooth, and gives off both romantic and strong vibes to me. Similar to Lola, he reminds me of a never-ending piece of ivory silk..
I have nothing against Cash – though a bit insubstantial as a name – though he does remind me of the awesome Johnny Cash.
😀 Thanks! Cassius is one that appeals to both of us. Him for his Ali thing, me for Cassius Deo (Like I’ve said before, required reading looks like a bore but the gems you end up finding…) I love his elegant stance and his feel. He feels almost silky to me. I love smooth!. Funny how “cool” never once enterd my head. For me Cassius would be Cass more often than Cash. And Cash? Well, I can live with the possibility. He bothers me none. uny you mentioned a Dad bypassing Atticus or Ignatius. In my case, Cassius was my alternative to his Tiberius! (Yes, you guessed it). I want something with a bit of panache up front this time. Just a bit. I think Cassius’ got just the right amount for us.
What would you think if you ran into a tiny Cassius Barnaby Rex? (Yeah, I figure, Rex is hard up front, but he’s lovely in third!). I can see a grown Cassius too, lawyer, politician, librarian, mechanic, just about whatever. Yep, I think Cassius is awesome and I love him.
My cousin named her son Cassius simply so she could call him Cash, because – in her words – “What’s cooler than cash?” I don’t know. I think naming your child based on “cool” is a little lacking. However, there’s no denying that my cousin Cassius will always stand out in a crowd, and will not share his name with many.