"jewel of the sea"
Origin: Celtic
Language: Welsh
Cordelia
Pronunciation: [ k-awrd-EEL-ee-uh ]
Does Cordelia flow with your last name?
Shakespeare's most loyal daughter — elegant, literary, timeless
English
Irish
Welsh
American
Literary
Royal
Elegant
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Cordelia
4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"heart"
Origin: Celtic
Language: Irish
"daughter of the sea"
Origin: Celtic
Language: Cornish
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The Story of Cordelia
Cordelia's origins are debated among scholars. The most likely etymology traces it to Celtic roots — possibly the Welsh 'Creirddylad' (jewel of the sea) or a combination of the Celtic 'cor' (heart) with the Latin suffix '-delia.' Shakespeare immortalized the name in 'King Lear' (c. 1605–1606), creating Cordelia as Lear's youngest and most loyal daughter — a figure of absolute moral integrity who speaks truth even when it costs her her inheritance, and ultimately her life. The play's ending, in which Cordelia is unjustly executed, is considered one of the most devastating in all of English literature.
Cordelia has risen steadily in English-speaking countries as parents rediscover four-syllable Victorian literary names. It gained modern visibility through Cordelia Chase, the witty fan-favorite character in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Angel' (1997–2004), and through Anne Shirley's fantasy name for herself in 'Anne of Green Gables.' It currently sits in the 300–400 range in the US and is climbing.
In Shakespeare's 'King Lear,' Cordelia represents the highest ideal of love — honest, unconditional, and selfless. She refuses to flatter Lear to earn her inheritance and is the only daughter who truly loves him. This literary association has made Cordelia synonymous with integrity and the courage to speak truth, giving the name one of literature's most powerful character endorsements.
Historical Record
Cordelia first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 7,088 babies have been named Cordelia in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cordelia is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,065 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Cordelia is one of the moons of Uranus, discovered by Voyager 2 in 1986 — all Uranian moons are named after Shakespeare characters
- Anne Shirley in 'Anne of Green Gables' wishes her name were Cordelia, calling it 'perfectly elegant'
- One of the moons of Uranus named Cordelia was discovered in 1986 and is only about 50 km in diameter
Cordelia in Other Languages
Welsh
Creirddylad
French
Cordélia
German
Cordelia
Italian
Cordelia
Spanish
Cordelia
Popularity Over Time
#1,065
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Cordelia
C
Cordelia Fine
Scientist
1975
Australian-British cognitive neuroscientist and author of 'Delusions of Gender' and 'Testosterone Rex,' challenging myth...
Australian-British cognitive neuroscientist and author of 'Delusions of Gender' and 'Testosterone Rex,' challenging myths about sex differences
C
Cordelia (King Lear) Fictional
Other
The youngest and most virtuous daughter of King Lear in Shakespeare's tragedy (c. 1606); the ultimate literary symbol of...
The youngest and most virtuous daughter of King Lear in Shakespeare's tragedy (c. 1606); the ultimate literary symbol of loyalty and unconditional love
C
Cordelia Chase Fictional
Other
Fan-favorite character in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Angel' (1997–2004), played by Charisma Carpenter; evolved from...
Fan-favorite character in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Angel' (1997–2004), played by Charisma Carpenter; evolved from popular mean girl to genuine hero
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Compare Cordelia with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #1,065
- Total SSA Count
- 233
- Cultural Origins
- English Irish Welsh American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Cordie
Delia
Cora
Cori
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Cordelia
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cordelia
What does the name Cordelia mean?
"jewel of the sea" (from Celtic). "heart" (from Celtic). "daughter of the sea" (from Celtic). Cordelia's origins are debated among scholars. The most likely etymology traces it to Celtic roots — possibly the Welsh 'Creirddylad' (jewel of the sea) or a combination of the Celtic 'cor' (heart) with the Latin suffix '-delia.' Shakespeare immortalized the name in 'King Lear' (c. 1605–1606), creating Cordelia as Lear's youngest and most loyal daughter — a figure of absolute moral integrity who speaks truth even when it costs her her inheritance, and ultimately her life. The play's ending, in which Cordelia is unjustly executed, is considered one of the most devastating in all of English literature.
What is the origin of the name Cordelia?
Cordelia has Celtic, English, Irish, Welsh, and American origins. In Celtic, it means "jewel of the sea". In Celtic, it means "heart". In Celtic, it means "daughter of the sea".
Is Cordelia a boy or girl name?
Cordelia is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Cordelia?
Cordelia is pronounced k-awrd-EEL-ee-uh.
How popular is the name Cordelia?
Cordelia is currently ranked #1065 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cordelia?
Common nicknames for Cordelia include Cordie, Delia, Cora, and Cori.
What are good middle names for Cordelia?
Popular middle name pairings include Cordelia Rose, Cordelia Jane, Cordelia Grace, Cordelia Marie, Cordelia Kate, and Cordelia Ann.
What are good sibling names for Cordelia?
Names that pair well with Cordelia as siblings include Beatrice, Cecily, Edmund, Jasper, Imogen, and Lysander.
How many syllables does Cordelia have?
Cordelia has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Cordelia a common or rare name?
Cordelia is an uncommon name, ranked #1065 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Cordelia
Cordelia is a girl name with English, Irish, Welsh, and American origins . The name means "jewel of the sea" in Celtic .
Cordelia is currently ranked #1,065 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Cordelia has 4 syllables and is pronounced k-awrd-EEL-ee-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Cordelia include Cordie, Delia, Cora, and Cori. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis