Etymology of the name Cassandra by etymonline (original) (raw)

fem. proper name, Latinized form of Greek Kasandra, Kassandra, name of the daughter of Priam and Hecuba of Troy, seduced by Apollo, who gave her the gift of prophecy, but when she betrayed him he amended it so that, though she spoke truth, none would believe her. Used figuratively since 1660s.

The name is of uncertain origin, though the second element looks like a fem. form of Greek andros "of man, male human being." Watkins suggests PIE *(s)kand- "to shine" as its source. The name also has been connected to kekasmai "to surpass, excel," and Beekes suggests a source in PIE *(s)kend- "raise."