Declining since 1990, #4,707 for boys today.
Popularity of Cord since 1920
Babies named Cord per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 6 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 185 |
| 1970s | 176 |
| 1980s | 346 |
| 1990s | 504 |
| 2000s | 212 |
| 2010s | 298 |
| 2020s | 115 |
Meaning & origin
Cord is a rare American boy's name with a history rooted in surnames. First recorded in 1920, it saw its peak popularity in 1990, though even then it was uncommon. Since 1990, its usage has been declining, and in 2025 it ranked 4707th with roughly 1 in 81,337 boys receiving the name. Cord has never been strongly associated with any particular U.S. state, remaining a niche choice. Its etymological link to 'rope' or 'string' lends a simple, sturdy feel, though its origin is debated between English surname roots and Irish variants. As a short, crisp name, it fits with other surname-style names like Clark or Reid, but it has never achieved widespread use.
Cord originated as a short form of the surname Cordell, from the Old French 'corde' meaning 'rope' or 'string', perhaps a metonymic occupational name for a rope maker. It has also been used as a variant of Corr, an Irish surname. In modern times, Cord has been used as a standalone given name, likely influenced by the broader trend of using surname-derived names.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Cordell, Corr
Sibling names for Cord
Names that share Cord's style, for a brother or sister.
