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Cressida

♀ Girl

Pronounced KRES-ih-dah /ˈkrɛs.ɪ.də/Medium

Meaning: A literary name popularized by Chaucer and Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida; derived from Greek Chryseis, tied to chrysos, 'gold.' Romantic and classical.Low

In 30 seconds: A classical literary name: Cressida traces to 'gold' and Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida (said 'KRES-ih-dah'). Romantic and rare.

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Origin LowGreek, English

MeaningA literary name popularized by Chaucer and Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida; derived from Greek Chryseis, tied to chrysos, 'gold.' Romantic and classical.

U.S. rank (2024)#12408 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2015

Total births (all-time)≈ 151

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Cressida rose through Chaucer and Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida, its roots in the Greek Chryseis ('gold'). It reads romantic and classical, if bittersweet in its story — rare in the U.S., which we note (said 'KRES-ih-dah').

It appears only rarely in the U.S., cherished for its literary air. Rare, classical, and romantic.

Did you know? Cressida is a literary name from Chaucer and Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida, tracing back to the Greek Chryseis and chrysos, 'gold' — a romantic, classical choice, also the name of a moon of Uranus (said 'KRES-ih-dah').

Overall data confidence 48%

References — Cressida — Greek/literary; Troilus and Cressida; 'gold'

Variations

CressaCriseydeChryseis

Nicknames

CressSidi

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Cressida…

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Isolde— a like romantic legend name

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Explore names like Cressida

By themegreek literary classical romantic

By meaningGold

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cressida mean?

Cressida is a literary name from Troilus and Cressida, tracing to Greek roots tied to 'gold.' The exact route is debated, which we note.

How do you pronounce Cressida?

It's said KRES-ih-dah /ˈkrɛs.ɪ.də/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Cressida a boy or girl name?

Cressida is a girl's name.

How popular is Cressida?

Cressida is a rare name in the U.S.