A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Cordelia since 1880
Babies named Cordelia per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2015, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Cordelia's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 546 |
| 1890s | 575 |
| 1900s | 600 |
| 1910s | 1,087 |
| 1920s | 1,131 |
| 1930s | 839 |
| 1940s | 780 |
| 1950s | 772 |
| 1960s | 566 |
| 1970s | 352 |
| 1980s | 338 |
| 1990s | 367 |
| 2000s | 1,218 |
| 2010s | 2,277 |
| 2020s | 1,458 |
Meaning & origin
Cordelia is a name of debated origins, possibly from Latin 'cor' or Welsh Creiddylad. It was first recorded in U.S. data in 1880, when it ranked 980, its peak year. After a decline, it has been rising in use since 1985, and as of 2025 it holds a rank of 980 again with a 1-in-6,230 incidence. The name is most popular in Oregon, Iowa, and Minnesota, reflecting a preference for revivalist, literary names in those states. Its association with Shakespeare's loyal daughter gives it a sense of dignity and grace, appealing to parents seeking a classic yet uncommon choice.
The etymology of Cordelia is debated. It may derive from Latin 'cor' meaning 'heart', or be related to the Welsh name Creiddylad, a figure in Welsh mythology. Shakespeare popularized the name in his play 'King Lear' (1606) for the loyal daughter, which cemented its use in the English-speaking world. It saw moderate use in the 19th century and has experienced a revival since the 1980s.
Where Cordelia is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cora, Cordy, Delia, Cordie
Sibling names for Cordelia
Names that share Cordelia's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Eleanor, Beatrice, Violet, Juliet, Rosalind, Adelia, Alethea, Arabella, Aurelia, Callista, Drucilla, Evangeline, Lavina, Lavinia, Octavia, Ofelia, Ophelia, Portia, Rowena, Ursula, Winslow, Abilene, Alethia, Arabelle, Arvella, Arvilla, Avonlea, Celestia, Claribel, Delphia, Glendora, Hermione, Imogen, Isadora, Leanora, Louvenia, Lucina, Luvenia, Nerissa, Odelia, Otilia, Sophronia, Venetia, Zenobia, Adalind, Alandria, Aldora, Anthea, Arcadia, Armelia, Artelia, Astoria, Audelia, Berdena, Christabel, Clarrissa, Corinthia, Cyrilla, Dorathea, Eleora, Euphemia, Fidelia, Gwyndolyn, Gwynevere, Lovenia, Meridian, Orelia, Percilla, Permelia, Priscillia, Sapphira, Savilla, Sedonia, Severa, Sidonia, Sylvania, Tamora, Aerabella, Alixandra, Almadelia, Almina, Ambriel, Arabell, Arabia, Araminta, Aribelle, Armella, Audriella, Avalene, Cariana, Carlise, Castella, Clarrisa, Corrinna, Costella, Delcia, Elanora, Elnoria, Evoleth, Galileah, Gwendoline, Isolde, Lavora, Louvina, Luvinia, Mahalie, Meriel, Narcissa, Omelia, Othelia, Sabriel, Sedalia, Sybella, Verlia, Victoriana, Evangaline, Sybilla, Armentha, Arrabella, Athenia, Aurilla, Cardelia, Carnelia, Cilicia, Cressida, Darcella, Delvina, Elvenia, Emerita, Eustacia, Evanora, Evoleht, Faydra, Francelia, Genevra, Illyria, Laurelin, Letetia, Lucendia, Lucilia, Lucillia, Lylith, Ophia, Orabelle, Orella, Orphia, Penelopi, Phoenicia, Porcia, Quentina, Titiana, Vandella, Velencia, Zephyra
Brothers: Sebastian, Theodore, Julian, Felix, Edmund, Baron, Caspian, Cassian, Crispin, Garrick, Marcellus, Sterling, Amory, Carnell, Cornelious, Mortimer, Octavian, Percival, Phineas, Albion, Alpheus, Artemus, Cordale, Corinthian, Montague, Othello, Seaborn, Sebastion, Sylvanus, Thadeus, Theseus, Valerian, Balthazar, Clayburn, Corneilus, Decorian, Devereaux, Emilian, Fitzroy, Hamlet, Horatio, Oberon, Peregrine, Rawlin, Boniface, Adorian, Aldous, Aloysuis, Amyas, Augusten, Aurelian, Cardale, Cordarious, Cordarro, Cordarryl, Cornellius, Cortavius, Damascus, Peregrin, Phinneas, Sebastyan, Theoplis, Tristram, Wyndham
