Caspian

From shimmering seas to heroic princes, a name like Caspian is filled with legacy and wonder. Made famous by the Chronicles of Narnia, Caspian ultimately derives from the Caspian Sea in Eurasia. This vast, inland body of water is named after the city of Qazvin, which is thought to derive from the tribal name Cas or Caspii. While its meaning isn't confirmed by etymologists just yet, some theorize Cas simply means "white." How we spell Caspian today can be traced back through the Latin Caspius and Greek Kaspios.

While Caspian's fantasy association makes some question if it's a little out there as a name choice, we have to agree with The Bump member forensicmama's take: "I like it! To me, it's along the lines of Apollo and Astrid - unusual, but legitimate and fun." Thanks to its smooth vowel sounds and classical notes, Caspian joins many names from this era as a timeless choice.

Fun Facts About the Name Caspian

• Caspian is a Narnian name: The modern use of Caspian as a first name is almost entirely thanks to C.S. Lewis. He introduced Prince Caspian in his 1951 fantasy novel The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. Lewis chose the name because of its associations with the mysterious, landlocked Caspian Sea, representing the prince’s voyage and quest to restore Narnia's Golden Age.
• The rise of Caspian: Modern parents love "Cas-" names. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has highlighted Caspian as one of the fastest-rising names, leaping nearly 100 spots in a single year.
• Caspian's ancient tribe origins: The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed inland body of water on Earth. Its name comes from an ancient pre-Indo-European nomadic tribe that once inhabited the southwestern shores of the sea (modern-day Transcaucasia).