Cassian is a masculine given name of Latin origin. It comes from the Roman family name Cassius, which was derived from the Latin word 'cassus', meaning "empty" or "hollow". The name gained popularity through the Roman general and senator Gaius Cassius Longinus, who lived during the 1st century BCE.
The name Cassian is also associated with Saint Cassian, a Christian martyr who died in the late 3rd century. Along with his companion Saint Victor, he was beheaded for their faith during the reign of Diocletian. Their feast day is celebrated on August 29th.
In literature, the name Cassian appears in several works. In French novelist Honoré de Balzac's "Père Goriot", there is a character named Vautrin, originally known as Cassian de Beauvisage. Also, in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, there is a character named Cassius Warrington.
The name Cassian has seen a rise in popularity in recent years. According to data from the Social Security Administration, it was among the top 1000 boys' names in the United States in 2018, ranking at number 967. It remains more common as a given name than its variant forms such as Cassie or Cass.
In conclusion, Cassian is a Latin-derived masculine given name with a rich history and varied associations, ranging from Roman politics to Christian martyrdom and modern literature. Its meaning, "empty" or "hollow", while not necessarily having any direct impact on personality traits, does add an interesting layer of depth to the name's origin story.
"Cassian experienced a significant increase in popularity over time, with birth numbers steadily rising from just 5 in the late 90s to a peak of 553 in 2023. The name's popularity took a notable leap around 2016-2017, more than doubling in usage within two years."