Cressida Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KRES-i-duh //ˈkrɛsɪdə//
Origin: Greek; Latin
Meaning: Greek: golden; Latin: of the gold
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Cressida has its roots in ancient Greek, deriving from the word 'kressida,' which is believed to be linked to 'kresson,' meaning 'watercress.' This etymological path is traced through Latin, where it appears as 'Cressida,' and into Old French before entering the English language. The name gained prominence in the late Middle Ages, particularly through its association with literary works, most notably in Geoffrey Chaucer's 'Troilus and Criseyde,' written in the 14th century.
Chaucer's adaptation of the character Cressida, originally from the Trojan War narratives, helped solidify the name's presence in English literature. Cressida's historical significance is further enhanced by its connection to the story of the Trojan War, where she is portrayed as a figure of both love and betrayal.
This duality has allowed the name to resonate through various cultural interpretations over the centuries. The character's portrayal in Shakespeare's 'Troilus and Cressida' in the early 17th century further cemented the name's association with themes of love, loyalty, and the complexities of human relationships.
Shakespeare's work, which reinterprets the earlier tales, contributed to the enduring legacy of Cressida in the literary canon. Culturally, Cressida has been associated with themes of tragic romance and the consequences of choices made in the name of love.
The name evokes a sense of historical depth and literary richness, making it a symbol of both beauty and complexity. The diminutive form 'Cress' has also emerged in various contexts, reflecting a more intimate or affectionate use of the name.
Overall, Cressida's journey from ancient Greek origins to its prominent place in English literature illustrates its lasting impact and the cultural narratives that have shaped its significance.
Famous people named Cressida
In this section, you will find notable people named Cressida. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Cressida who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Cressida who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Cressida Cowell is an author and illustrator best known for How to Train Your Dragon, The Wizards of Once, and the Emily Windsnap series.
Fictional characters named Cressida
The following list of fictional characters named Cressida is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Cressida is a fictional character from the book series The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. She is a talented stylist who plays a crucial role in transforming Katniss Everdeen's public image during the rebellion.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Cressida, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Cressida. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Cressida was first seen in the United States in 1969.
Cressida has ranked as high as #1384 nationally, which occurred in 2015, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Cressida has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Cressida is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Cressida was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Cressida
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Cressida.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 1990 | 7 |
| 1987 | 6 |
| 1984 | 5 |
| 1982 | 9 |
| 1981 | 5 |
| 1979 | 5 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1973 | 5 |
| 1971 | 5 |
| 1970 | 5 |
| 1969 | 7 |