Cass
Primarily a boy's name of Greek origin with 1,841 recorded births. Also given to 133 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A diminutive of the female given name Cassandra of medieval origin, later also used for Cassidy, Cassiopeia, and Catherine with its variant forms.
Cass is a boy's and girl's baby name of Greek origin, a short form of Cassander or a masculine variant derived from the same root as Cassandra, from the Greek combining kekasmai (to shine) and aner (man), meaning 'shining man' or 'brother of Cassandra.'
With over 1,800 recorded births, Cass is a name that travels easily across genders — used for both boys and girls. It carries the crisp, punchy energy of a one-syllable name that arrives already complete. The musician Cass Elliot (Mama Cass) gave it warmth in musical culture, while the name's brevity keeps it modern and effortlessly stylish.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Cass is a boy's name with over a century of recorded use (1881–2024). Its Greek roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Today, Cass is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #5259), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Cass was #5046 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #5259, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 115 | #4588 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 221 | #4700 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 162 | #5180 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 184 | #3840 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 242 | #2458 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 197 | #2328 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 222 | #1788 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 170 | #1969 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 89 | #2653 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 43 | #3402 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 81 | #3151 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 79 | #2487 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 17 | #1201 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 6 | #962 | ▼ |
| 1880s | 13 | #795 | — |
The Story of Cass
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1989, Cass is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Cass are most likely born between 1979 and 1999.
How rare is Cass?
Only about 1 in every 200,000 babies born in 2024 was named Cass — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1881, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1980s with 242 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Cass by the numbers
- Would fill 38 school buses
- Meeting one Cass per day would take 5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(115 years, 1881–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18 | #5259 |
| 2023 | 16 | #5695 |
| 2022 | 23 | #4454 |
| 2021 | 34 | #3368 |
| 2020 | 24 | #4162 |
| 2019 | 24 | #4247 |
| 2018 | 20 | #4770 |
| 2017 | 28 | #3788 |
| 2016 | 29 | #3701 |
| 2015 | 20 | #4742 |
| 2014 | 23 | #4282 |
| 2013 | 11 | #7110 |
| 2012 | 12 | #6686 |
| 2011 | 24 | #4126 |
| 2010 | 30 | #3546 |
| 2009 | 24 | #4181 |
| 2008 | 20 | #4740 |
| 2007 | 19 | #4835 |
| 2006 | 14 | #5829 |
| 2005 | 16 | #5072 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Cass as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Cass has also been given to 133 girls in the U.S. since 1949.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cass a boy's or girl's name?
When was Cass most popular?
How popular is the name Cass?
Can Cass be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1881–2024