The origin of my full first name: [Pronounced cri-SAY-duh] Pretty good... Okay, now say it just a little faster, and put the emphasis on the second syllable, instead of the last. By George, I think you’ve got it!

During her studies as an English major, my mother read a book by Geoffrey Chaucer called Troilus and Criseyde (with two dots over the last “e”). It was written in old English and entirely in verse. She liked the female character in the book so much, she decided if she ever had a little girl, she would name her Criseyda. So she did. Only Mom put an “a” on the end, instead of an e, to help folks have a better chance of pronouncing it correctly.

Although it was a lot to learn to spell as a little tyke, she and Dad kindly put my name in small colorful wooden letters on my bedroom wall, and even painted it neatly on the side of my little wooden wagon. I appreciated the help - and the name.