Rising since 2002, #6,803 for boys today.
Popularity of Cordero since 1986
Babies named Cordero per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 891 |
| 1990s | 484 |
| 2000s | 148 |
| 2010s | 215 |
| 2020s | 69 |
Meaning & origin
Cordero entered the U.S. baby name charts in 1986, a latecomer compared to many Spanish-surname names. Its popularity peaked almost immediately in 1987, when it ranked 6,803 and was given to roughly 1 in 142,340 newborn boys. After that, usage declined for many years, but it has been rising again since 2002, indicating renewed interest. Cordero has always been concentrated in states with large Hispanic populations, though no state claimed it as a top favorite in the most recent data. Its trajectory suggests it remains a distinctive pick, never breaking into the mainstream, but steadily chosen by families who value its pastoral meaning and cultural resonance.
Cordero is taken directly from the Spanish word for 'lamb' (from Latin cordarium). It originated as a surname, often a nickname or occupational name for a shepherd, and later transitioned into use as a given name. In Christian contexts, the lamb symbolizes Christ, adding a layer of religious significance, though its use as a first name is largely modern.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Corde, Dero, Cory
Sibling names for Cordero
Names that share Cordero's style, for a brother or sister.
