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Cordelia

♀ Girl

Pronounced kor-DEEL-ee-uh /kɔːrˈdiː.li.ə/High

Meaning: Possibly from Celtic or Latin roots meaning heart; also possibly from Welsh Creiddylad meaning jewel of the sea or from Latin cor meaning heartMedium

In 30 seconds: Cordelia is a grand Shakespearean name meaning heart with mysterious Celtic depth. As the noble youngest daughter in King Lear, it radiates literary prestige and is rising strongly as parents seek elaborate, vintage alternatives.
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Origin MediumCeltic, Latin
MeaningPossibly from Celtic or Latin roots meaning heart; also possibly from Welsh Creiddylad meaning jewel of the sea or from Latin cor meaning heart
U.S. rank (2025)#981 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births258 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2015
Total births (all-time)≈ 12,904

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201518802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Cordelia appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae (c. 1136) as the youngest daughter of the legendary King Lear. The name's etymology is genuinely uncertain, with proposals including Celtic, Latin, and Welsh roots.

Shakespeare immortalized the name in King Lear (c. 1606), making Cordelia the embodiment of filial love and moral integrity. The name has carried literary and ethical resonance ever since.

Did you know? Cordelia is also the name of a moon of Uranus, discovered in 1986 by the Voyager 2 spacecraft. It is one of the innermost moons of Uranus, named — like most Uranian moons — after characters from Shakespeare.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name — Cordelia — etymology and Shakespearean historyNASA — Uranian moons — Cordelia moon discovery 1986

Variations

CordelieDelia

Nicknames

CoraDeliaCordie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Cordelia…

Eleanor— same stately literary multi-syllable with vintage revival momentum
Rosalind— equally Shakespearean with a grand, romantic feel
Vivienne— shares the lavish four-syllable character and literary weight
Arabella— same elaborate vintage revival appeal for bold name choices

Frequently Asked

What does the name Cordelia mean?

Cordelia is a Celtic name of disputed meaning, possibly meaning heart or jewel of the sea. She is the youngest daughter of King Lear in Shakespeare.

How do you pronounce Cordelia?

It is said kor-DEEL-ee-uh, with four syllables and stress on the second.

Is Cordelia a popular name?

Cordelia has been rising steadily, driven by interest in literary and Shakespearean vintage names.

Is Cordelia a moon?

Yes, Cordelia is one of the innermost moons of Uranus, discovered in 1986 by Voyager 2 and named after the Shakespeare character.