Cordelia

Meaning: Uncertain; possibly heart, or sea jewel
Origin: Uncertain — Shakespeare's form, in King Lear, of the legendary British name Cordeilla

Girl's name · #981 in the US (2025) · Comeback

Popularity over time

Cordelia was #204 in 1880, slipped to #4208 by 1996, and has climbed back to #981 today. About 13,000 girls have carried it since 1880. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records.

Across the states

See where Cordelia is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 24 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Cordelia ranks in other countries and regions.

#650 in England & Wales (2025) · #699 in Sweden (2025) · #1,106 in Canada (2025) · #1,419 in Austria (2025) · #4,043 in France (2025) · #765 in Scotland (2020) · #1,484 in Belgium (2012) · #6,405 in Ecuador (2008) · #606 in Ireland (2001).

Famous Cordelias

Cordelia Fine — Canadian-born British psychologist and writer (born 1975)
Cordelia Bugeja — British actress (born 1976)
Cordelia Edvardson — Journalist, author, and Holocaust survivor (1929–2012)
Cordelia Scaife May — American heiress and philanthropist (1928–2005)
Cordelia Urueta — Mexican artist (1908–1995)

In stories & tradition

Cordelia of Britain — Legendary Queen of the Britons
Cordelia Chase — Character in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel
Cordelia — Shakespearian character

What Cordelias become

Among 71 notable people named Cordelia:

Scientists & scholars appear 1.81× more often than among typical names — e.g. Cordelia Fine, Canadian-born British psychologist and writer (born 1975).

Similar names: Belle · Cornelia · Adelia · Nola · Ophelia · Louisa

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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