Kassia is a variant spelling of Cassia, which itself is the feminine form of Cassius. The Roman family name Cassius may derive from Latin cassus meaning "empty, vain." Historically, the name is uniquely linked to the Byzantine-Greek composer, hymnographer, and poet Kassia (c. 810 – c.865), also known as Kassiane or Kassiani. She holds a distinguished place in Byzantine music as the only known woman whose compositions are part of the Byzantine liturgy. Approximately fifty of her hymns survive, though attributions are sometimes uncertain. Kassia was also an abbess of a convent in Constantinople and is one of only two women from the middle Byzantine period known to have written under their own names (the other being Anna Comnena). In modern contexts, Kassia is used predominantly in English-speaking countries, though it remains relatively rare. Related forms include the Ancient Roman Cassia and the Portuguese Cássia. The name is sometimes associated with the cinnamon-like spice, due to its phonetic similarity to cassia, though this meaning is secondary to its historical and religious significance. Meaning: Variant of Cassia; ultimately derived from Cassius, perhaps meaning "empty" or "vain." Origin: Greek variant of Latin Cassia; Byzantine Greek. Type: First name, feminine. Usage regions: English-speaking countries, notably linked to Byzantine history.