I’m a long way off from kids so this is purely hypothetical, but I’d love to hear this group’s opinion on the name [name_f]Kassia[/name_f] (KAH-see-uh), or possibly [name_f]Kassiani[/name_f] (kah-see-ah-NEE). It’s an uncommon and probably too-Greek name for my non-Greek self, but it holds a lot of meaning for me. St. [name_f]Kassiani[/name_f] is one of my favorite saints, a poet, hymnographer, and pretty hardcore abbess, and she’s also my mom’s patron saint. [name_f]My[/name_f] mom is one of the most important people in my life and I’d love to name a child after her, but her first name (Erika) is not one either of us love.
Anyway, I love the name [name_f]Kassia[/name_f] but I’m worried it’s too foreign for me to use as someone who doesn’t share its Greek origins. Does it feel very out of place for a regular American family? And what do you think of the name itself?
I like both [name_f]Kassia[/name_f] and Kassiani…
I would use names from different culture than me all the way. In fact, on my list, there’s just handful local names.
I would say, to keep in mind two things
Would you bother you people asking more about name, or asking where you got it or why you choose it - you probably wouldn’t like explaining everything personal to stranger
would you be bothered by misspelling or people mishearing name for another similar name
would you be bothered people assuming you’re Greek, of certain race or weird for choosing this name
when it comes to 1) people who used unusual name, mostly report not everyone ask about unusual name, that usually older women ask about details, or that kids or adults barely blink an eye. Generally, there’s more name variety these days, among all parents group. Parents think other people care, but they mostly don’t. Yeah, also don’t mention name before baby is born since people are less likely to share opinions that way.
With the similar [name_f]Cassia[/name_f] being fairly well-known where I am - along with [name_f]Cassie[/name_f] and [name_f]Cassandra[/name_f] - [name_f]Kassia[/name_f] doesn’t seem out of place to me! It’s got great sounds, a sweet meaning, and a lovely association for you too!
[name_f]Kassia[/name_f] actually doesn’t read Greek to me, but more like [name_f]Cassia[/name_f] with a K. [name_f]Kassiani[/name_f] I would hesitate to use without a connection to Greece, but it could also be a beautiful middle!
[name_f]Kassia[/name_f] itself is gorgeous and I think would work very well here (I’m in the U.S. [name_m]South[/name_m] personally) and have a lot of meaning for both you and your mom.
I wouldn’t have batted an eye at [name_f]Cassia[/name_f]? [name_f]Cassie[/name_f] is very familiar and Cassius/Cassia/Cassian is gaining traction. (I know a Cassian!) The [name_f]Kassia[/name_f] spelling does make it feel a little more unusual, and [name_f]Kassiani[/name_f] even moreso, but it sounds like it’s a very important saint to both of you and for that reason, I would consider either option worth considering! I think there’s a difference between picking a name that you just like from a culture you have no ties to, or picking a name that has significant meaning for you, even if you’re not from that nationality.
[name_f]Kassia[/name_f] is pretty but I think spelling it [name_f]Cassia[/name_f] may make the life easier in various aspects, including possible cultural appropriation accuses and all the misspelling you may get. However, if you feel like [name_f]Kassia[/name_f] (or Kassiani) is The Name, you should go for it. I think, you should always use a name you love the most in first place.
I like both [name_f]Kassia[/name_f] and [name_f]Kassiani[/name_f]. You shouldn’t worry about not being Greek. Some of our most popular names are Hebrew or Latin. [name_f]Do[/name_f] we have any connection to that? No! [name_f]French[/name_f] names, such as [name_f]Claire[/name_f], [name_f]Delphine[/name_f] and [name_f]Estelle[/name_f] are widely used outside of [name_f]France[/name_f]. [name_f]Natalie[/name_f], [name_f]Nadia[/name_f] and [name_f]Natasha[/name_f] are Russian. [name_m]Just[/name_m] choose the name you love and go with it. It doesn’t matter in the slightest.