Sorry my second post of the weekend.
I joined some other sites for the specific purpose of ideas and opinions on renaming myself.
I am thinking some of you may be also members and discussed this with me on other sites.
At this point I am definite with [name_u]Paris[/name_u] as a middle or 2nd name and as the name my family use. There still seems to be negativity connected to ‘celebrities’ for [name_u]Paris[/name_u], or that’s it’s a masculine name. My conclusion was to put another name as the first.
[name_f]Camilla[/name_f] seems to be the most popular choice for a first, [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] is the next. There have had a few discussion about [name_f]Camilla[/name_f] and I feel I know the name fairly well but not [name_f]Cressida[/name_f]. I have seen it on maybe 2 peoples signature and maybe on some ‘don’t like’ threads.
It appeals to me in that it’s not used where I will be living. (The only publicity was [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] Bonas –and that’s years passed). My original name, I only knew one other person with, so I am not used to sharing my name –in my community anwyay… (Aged 32 –one infant daughter)
[name_f]Cressida[/name_f]-what do you know or think please?
[name_f]Cressida[/name_f] isn’t my general style, but I do think it’s rather lovely. I do prefer [name_f]Camilla[/name_f], though. I feel like I’ve met someone named [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] before actually, but that may have been online. Not sure what else you’re looking for, exactly?
Personally, I only see [name_u]Paris[/name_u] as a girls’ name. I grew up with a [name_u]Paris[/name_u] in real life and on [name_m]Gilmore[/name_m] Girls (I like that character, but some don’t). Other than that [name_u]Paris[/name_u] [name_m]Jackson[/name_m] and [name_u]Paris[/name_u] [name_m]Hilton[/name_m] are the only other people I’ve heard it on, so it’s a strictly female name in my mind. I’m sorry, I know that wasn’t your question, just thought I’d add my two cents in the boy part of it.
Good luck on finding the perfect name!
Thanks anyway @mandesmommy. I appreciate your 2 cents worth.
I initially ran the [name_u]Paris[/name_u] idea past berries and received total support-especially with the proviso of that I have connection to the name. I know I have to spend part of my time in 2 other countries and decided to poll them afterward and got much more negativity.
Yes you answered my question -its nys - I don’t know which is my style right now. I just need to be fine with it -its not as deep as [name_u]Paris[/name_u]. I really got that ‘Look -a [name_u]Paris[/name_u]’ feedback from one site but they agreed that it would work as a second. I think I am so sensitive to comment that I would be happier with it 2nd. Thanks again
I adore [name_f]Cressida[/name_f]. I think it’s such a beautiful under-used name. I love the Shakespearian connection and that it’s very feminine and strong at the same time. I like [name_f]Camilla[/name_f] as well, another stylish name. I think they’re both very usable, so it may come down to whether you would prefer a name that people generally are a little more familiar with - [name_f]Camilla[/name_f], or has that something slightly exotic extra about it -[name_f]Cressida[/name_f].
@Arraminty- wow your response sure surprised me. I have done quite a lot Of Eng and World Literature in [name_m]General[/name_m] and the Shakespearean [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] is a real bugbear of mine. Given such reviews as known for her unfaithfulness etc. does not agree with me. She was one of a new type of feminine literary character -
saying “I wish I was a man-no I wish I had the power of a man”- or words hardly to that effect. [name_u]Early[/name_u] feminism - not totally developed in ‘Troilus and [name_f]Cressida[/name_f]’ but a great start- so its just whether the name is not too exotic? I am really
happy the main issue is settled and this one is of lesser importance but important since it will be for a long time. I so appreciate your lovely comments.
First of all, on [name_u]Paris[/name_u] (I know that not what your asking). I kind of live in 2 countries too (US and Tanzania) and I would say in both it is more seen as a girls’ name. I have never met anyone named [name_u]Paris[/name_u] that I can remember, but my first guess would definitely be female. My husband’s mother ([name_m]Kenyan[/name_m]) was even named [name_u]Paris[/name_u]. It sounds to me like [name_u]Paris[/name_u] is really special to you and that it feels like YOUR name. I would say just use it and dont worry about if some people may be expecting a man. Here (in Tanzania), [name_f]Emma[/name_f] is a VERY common male name (short for [name_m]Emmanuel[/name_m]). When females named [name_f]Emma[/name_f] come here they aren’t scorned for their name or told that is a boys’ name, people get used to it once they meet a person with a name. So, my point is, if [name_u]Paris[/name_u] is your name, I wouldn’t worry about what people in other countries will think, they will get used to it. But if you want it second, that’s totally your choice!
I would say you need to consider whether [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] would be too exotic in these countries where [name_u]Paris[/name_u] won’t work. For me, [name_f]Camilla[/name_f] and [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] give me very different images. I see a [name_f]Camilla[/name_f] as posh, rich kind of buttoned-up and reserved. While I see a [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] more as a strong, independent woman not afraid to be herself or say what she means. I don’t think [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] is too exotic (at least in the US). It’s not hard to pronounce or containing any symbols/letters or sounds not common in English. There was even a character in the Hunger Games series name [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] which makes it more likely that someone may be familiar with it. I think if you want something unique [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] is much more likely to give you that than [name_f]Camilla[/name_f]. I feel like you are much more likely to come across other Camillas than you would Cressidas.
Thanks@mamaenzi -Your description of how you envision the names has shifted me to [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] quite a lot.
My question was just, ‘What do you think of [name_f]Cressida[/name_f]?’
For those who may remember my previous posts I gave extra detail basically to explain why I was re- posting on the issue after saying I was happy with [name_u]Paris[/name_u]. I appreciate your ideas and common sense.
Many thanks.
If anyone else cares to give me some further reassurance (about Cressidaa!!) or not…
I’ll be really grateful. I am used to people saying - I’ve never heard of your name from before - but this will only be officialdom this time- if at all, because I will use [name_u]Paris[/name_u] for everyday.
People roll their eyes and make comments about [name_u]Paris[/name_u].
I was wanting to know how people perceive [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] as I have little knowledge of it I.R.L. (I know nil of the Hunger Games-sorry)
Dislike [name_f]Camilla[/name_f] because of its association with [name_m]Charles[/name_m]’ wife (though I love [name_f]Camellia[/name_f]), but [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] is an amazing name. It is both feminine sounding with its multiple syllables and -a ending and strong and goddess-like.
It’s hard for me to imagine a [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] being anything other than strong, attractive, and energetic.
I like that it’s known of yet uncommon and I think Cress and [name_f]Crescent[/name_f] are cute nn’s.
Best of luck choosing!
[name_u]Leslie[/name_u]
I much prefer [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] to [name_f]Camilla[/name_f]. It’s got shakedpearean credit, and here in the UK doesn’t have the controversial connotations that [name_f]Camilla[/name_f] has. It’s familiar too.
I don’t really like [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] much, but I think it doesn’t sound bad either - I prefer [name_f]Camilla[/name_f] much more.
I don’t know why I picture [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] to be an old woman who lives alone in a house with ten cats, like the woman in the Simpsons haha, not trying to offend anyone, it’s just the picture that comes to my mind, and it’s most surely me and my strange imagination.
Both [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] and [name_f]Camilla[/name_f] could make great names if you like them and you OWN them.
I think [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] is an alluring and lovely first name, I find it very nice. [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] [name_u]Paris[/name_u] would be somewhat S heavy, but it sounds very chic and pretty.
[name_f]Cressida[/name_f] is beautiful! I’m not too fond of [name_f]Camilla[/name_f], personally, but there is nothing wrong with it. I’m not too fond of [name_u]Paris[/name_u], either, but that’s just because it’s not my style. [name_u]Paris[/name_u] would make a lovely middle name for [name_f]Cressida[/name_f], though!
@lesliemarion-this is a delightful answer from you. I am liking Cressida more & more - its just all these lovely adjectives that are imagined - strong, attractive, energetic –I can’t live up to such allure.
@islandnoon –again you are giving me such good feedback such as the UK popularity.
@stellarvra99- that’s quite valid. It won’t be so long until I will be an old women who lives alone –just a few less cats!! Thank you;-) Love Thiago Dante Matteo, but I have enough names already.
@larkub101 –Cressida Paris is /s/ heavy, isn’t it? Too much?
@chloe14 –you mentioned this too.
I have had to scrub a few names along the way e.g. Helena (love) rhymes with my surname so it’s definitely out.
Camilla is fine but I will have to use the first name some, so I am thinking I should pick something I like more and Cressida is sounding quite attractive. Thanks so much everyone.
I’m not sure where you live, but I don’t think [name_f]Cressida[/name_f]'s too exotic. It’s unusual, but in your case I think that’s a positive. [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] Bonas makes it familiar (and ‘believable’ for your age if you’re worried about that - CB is only a few years younger than you, if the “32” in your original post referred to you). The Hunger Games character has also increased the name’s familiarity (I don’t know what the character is like, but at least she makes the name visible to more people).
Troilus and [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] is a relatively little-studied play (by Shakespearean standards), so [name_f]Cressida[/name_f]'s less tied to a character than, for instance, [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f], [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] or [name_f]Desdemona[/name_f]. I’ve studied medieval texts about [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] (especially [name_m]Henryson[/name_m]'s & [name_m]Chaucer[/name_m]'s) in some detail, and I agree that she’s a great character - quite complex and open to many interpretations.
My only hesitation would be that [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] [name_u]Paris[/name_u] is quite “Trojan War” themed. I don’t think that most people would automatically make that connection, though.
All in all, I think [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] is quite wearable.
@onomastodon, that was an amazingly comprehensive reply. Thanks so much.
Yes I’m 32 -and I am living in Australia at present.
A very high percentage of people have never heard of Cressida, where we are living at present. Not Hunger games or C. Bonas even. (DH is a put off but I am saying we won’t be here forever.)
I have had Juliet as an option to go with Paris on 50% of posts so, No! many people don’t make the connection.
I’ve been on the phone (non stop since this became an option) to friends and and for everyone who says -its a good option, esp.considering I did have a ‘relatively’ unique name (love the degrees of uniqueness), the other half tell me its a problem for pronunciation. Many Australians I am told) say /kɹəsi:də/ /cre-seed-ah / instead of CRESS- id-ah . Any comments?