What does Ariana mean?
Usually traced to the Greek Ariadne, “most holy.”
What does Cassandra mean?
Cassandra is usually read “shining” or “excelling over men”; she is the tragic prophetess of Troy.
Ariana vs Cassandra
Which is more popular?
Ariana is more popular than Cassandra today: about 2,219 US babies were given the name Ariana in 2025, compared with 463 named Cassandra.
| Ariana | Cassandra | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Most holy | Shining upon men |
| Origin | Greek | Greek |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | ar-ee-AH-nuh | kuh-SAN-druh |
| Syllables | 4 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1957 | 1902 |
| Peak year | 2014 (5,504) | 1990 (7,054) |
| In 2025 | 2,219 | 463 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Ariana
Cassandra
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Ariana | Cassandra |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 16,532 | 2,796 |
| 2010s | 41,342 | 6,365 |
| 2000s | 38,010 | 20,128 |
| 1990s | 18,864 | 50,364 |
| 1980s | 4,685 | 44,911 |
| 1970s | 788 | 19,016 |
| 1960s | 154 | 16,765 |
| 1950s | 5 | 7,692 |
| 1940s | 0 | 2,660 |
| 1930s | 0 | 164 |
| 1920s | 0 | 76 |
| 1910s | 0 | 61 |
| 1900s | 0 | 10 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Ariana or Cassandra more popular?
Ariana is more popular than Cassandra today: about 2,219 US babies were given the name Ariana in 2025, compared with 463 named Cassandra.
What is the difference between Ariana and Cassandra?
Ariana means Most holy (Greek origin), while Cassandra means Shining upon men (Greek origin).
Which name is older, Ariana or Cassandra?
In US records, Ariana first appears in 1957 and Cassandra in 1902, so Cassandra has the longer recorded history.