Cressida

female

Origin

From the Latin name Cretus, derived from Greek Κρήστις (Kritēs), which is possibly linked to the Greek myth of Cressida, a Trojan woman featured in the story of Troilus and Cressida. The name gained literary prominence through Shakespeare's play 'Troilus and Cressida' (1602), possibly inspired by classical mythology or historical figures. It is not of Aboriginal or Māori origin.

Meaning

The name means 'gold' or 'golden' in Greek, symbolising brightness, purity, and value, aligning with Australian English cultural connotations of cherished beauty and uniqueness.

Pronunciation

/krɪˈsiːdə/ (Australian English pronunciation, stress on second syllable) , Traits: {"traits":["Poised", "Intelligent", "Creative", "Elegant"]} , "famous":["Cressida Bonas (British socialite and actress)", "Cressida Crowell (Australian business leader)"] ,

Variants & Nicknames

Variants

  • Crescida
  • Kressida
  • Kresida

Nicknames

  • Cress
  • Cressy
  • Cressie

Name Days

  • 15 October (European tradition, to commemorate the feast day of St. Cressida)
  • No specific Australian cultural or religious observance designated for this name.
  • In Māori traditions, there are no specific name days for Cressida.

Name Pairings

Names that pair well with cressida:

  • Aurelia and Jasper
  • Matilda and Felix
  • Lila and Hugo (popular in Australia)

Fun Facts

  • The name Cressida was popularised in Australia by Shakespeare's play, which was performed frequently in Australian theatres during the 20th century.
  • Cressida is sometimes used as a literary or artistic name in Australian creative circles, appreciated for its poetic and classical resonance.
  • Australian artists and writers have occasionally used the name for characters in works exploring themes of love and tragedy.

Personality Traits

Common traits associated with the name cressida:

  • Esthetic appreciation
  • Sensitivity
  • Intellectual curiosity

Aesthetic Qualities

Elegant and classical in appearance, the name lends itself to poetic and artistic visual presentation, with a balanced, flowing typographic form in Australian print and digital media.

Geographical Distribution

More commonly found in urban areas with strong literary or cultural communities, such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, where classical and poetic names are appreciated.

Numerological Significance

Name number 7, associated with introspection, spirituality, and analytical thinking in numerology, often seen as a sign of a thoughtful, introspective personality.

Astrological Connections

Strongly connected with the Zodiac sign Scorpio, reflecting depth and intensity, which may influence personal astrological considerations in Australian horoscopes.

Historical Context

While not historically common in early Australian settlements, the name gained cultural traction through literary and artistic references during the 20th century, with some use among Australian writers and performers.

Linguistic Adaptability

The name adapts well across languages, maintaining recognisability in Latin script; phonetically friendly for French and Greek pronunciations, but with slight modification in non-Latin scripts.

Famous People Named cressida

  • Cressida Cowell (British author popular in Australian schools for her 'How to Train Your Dragon' series)
  • Cressida Sparrow (Illustrator and artist)
  • Cressida is also occasionally used in Australian theatre and film for characters that embody artistic or dramatic traits.

Popularity in Australia

Year Count
2017 1
2014 1