Cordelia
Cordelia is a girls' name of Latin origin meaning “heart.” It ranked #980 in the United States in 2025.
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how do you pronounce Cordelia?
kor-DEEL-yah
where does the name Cordelia come from?
The origin of Cordelia is uncertain. It has been linked with the Latin cor, heart; with the Welsh name Creiddylad, said to mean jewel of the sea; with the French coeur de lion, heart of a lion; and with the saint's name Cordula, as the root of Shakespeare's spelling.
Cordelia is best known as the virtuous daughter in Shakespeare's King Lear, a character based on a legendary British queen. Its origin is uncertain, but it is popularly linked with the Latin cor, heart. The name has a romantic, literary grandeur that appeals to parents seeking something elaborate yet timeless.
how popular is this name?
Cordelia has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 72 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 74. It peaked at #204 in 1880, and ranked #980 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #980 |
| 1950 | #978 |
| 1940 | #741 |
| 1930 | #743 |
| 1920 | #661 |
| 1910 | #461 |
| 1900 | #375 |
| 1890 | #364 |
| 1880 | #204 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Cordelia fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Cordelia
Cordelia is the tragic heroine of Shakespeare's King Lear (1606), based on an earlier legendary British queen whose name also appears as Cordeilla.
who are famous people named Cordelia?
- Cordelia (Shakespeare's King Lear)
- Cordelia Chase (Buffy the Vampire Slayer character)
- Cordelia Fine (Canadian-British academic)
what are the nicknames and variants of Cordelia?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Cordelia?
what names go well with Cordelia?
Sibling names that share Cordelia's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Cordelia
What does the name Cordelia mean?
Cordelia means “heart”.
What is the origin of the name Cordelia?
Cordelia comes from the Latin naming tradition. Related forms include Cordeilla.
How popular is the name Cordelia?
Cordelia ranked #980 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1880, at #204, and it has spent 72 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Cordelia a boy or girl name?
Cordelia is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Cordelia?
Cordelia is pronounced kor-DEEL-yah, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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