Cordelia

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Cordelia

Gender: Feminine
Language: English
Etymology:
Cordelia is literary name, taken from Celtic legend, and with an unknown meaning. There are, however, several theories:
1. Cordelia comes from the name Cordula, or Kordel, or Kordula, derived form Latin “cors” or “cordis” meaning “Heart.”
-or-
2. Cordelia is an Anglicized form of a Welsh name, Creiddylad, meaning “Jewel of the Sea.”

History:
Cordelia was “invented” by William Shakespeare for his 1608 play King Lear. Shakespeare took his name and his plot from the works of Geoffrey of Monmouth. In the works of Monmouth, the name of King Lear’s daughter was named Cordeilia.

Cordelia was fairly common in 19th century United States. It is rare today.

Pronunciation: core-deel-ee-ah.

Famous Bearers:
Fictional Characters:
Cordelia
The faithful daughter of King Lear.

Places
Cordelia
A moon of Uranus.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.005 % named Cordelia

Popularity of Cordelia:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1850: 161st most popular.
1875: 173rd most popular.
1900-1910: 456th most popular.
1910-1920: 541st most popular.
1920-1930: 695th most popular.
1930-1940: 909th most popular.
1940-1950: 943rd most popular.
1950-2000: N/A