Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Cordelia

Cordelia is a name with a lot of literary cachet, famously borne by a character in William Shakespeare’s tragic play “King Lear” (1605). The drama centers on the ancient pre-Roman King Lear of the Britons and his three daughters: Goneril, Regan and Cordelia; therefore, many historians believe the names selected by the Bard for his tragedy are ultimately of Celtic/Briton origin (although the actual meanings remain uncertain). One theory is that Lear’s name – who was based on a legendary real-life king – is derived from the Welsh “Llŷr” meaning “the sea”, in reference to an ancient Celtic god of the sea. Similarly, it’s surmised that the name Cordelia comes from the Welsh “Creiryddlydd” meaning “daughter of the sea”. Like Breton, the Welsh language is Celtic, from the Brythonic branch (rather than the Gaelic). There is also some speculation that Shakespeare was influenced by the Latin “cordis” meaning “heart” when he chose the name Cordelia; this seems apropos since Cordelia, King Lear’s youngest daughter, was the only one of the three sisters with an actual heart, metaphorically speaking (see literary references below for more information on Cordelia’s character in Shakespeare’s famous tragedy). In other words, Cordelia was the “good” daughter while her older sisters Goneril and Regan treated their father with disloyal treachery.

All About the Baby Name – Cordelia

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME CORDELIA

The number Four personality is marked by stability and discipline. This is the personality that follows the rules and is conservative by nature.  They have an earth-bound energy that prefers to build things methodically on top of firm foundations; they don't cut corners. Fours take their time and don't like to be hurried. But the outcome of their endeavors is likely to result in some strong and useful structure, which makes them great engineers and inventors. Fours are anything but frivolous or controversial. This is a trustworthy, straight-forward personality that embodies dedication and organization. They are the backbone and anchor in their relationships, careers and communities. They are tidy, punctual, and full of integrity. Hard-work comes naturally to a Four and they are immensely reliable. This is the personality you can always count on.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME CORDELIA

Cordelia is an old-fashioned, turn-of-the-century charmer (although this one has yet to come back into style). Our data only dates back to 1880 and, as the 19th century was coming to an end, Cordelia was ranked at position #202 out of 1000 (which was pretty respectable). As the 20th century got under way, however, Cordelia saw a slow and steady decline in popularity. The year 1950 marked the last time Cordelia managed to even make the Top 1000 list (which means it’s been over 60 years since this name has been on anyone’s radar). Now out of circulation, largely forgotten, and accumulating cobwebs, Cordelia has been left out to pasture. What a shame! It’s up to a few high-brow literary parents to rediscover this hidden gem; or even parents who are proud of their Celtic heritage. Cory and/or Delia are natural nicknames.

Quick Facts

ON CORDELIA

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

Celtic

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

3

RANKING POPULARITY:

N/A

PRONUNCIATION:

kor-DEEL-yah

SIMPLE MEANING:

Daughter of the sea

Characteristics

OF CORDELIA

Dependable

Solid

Practical

Hard-working

Industrious

Studious

Conservative

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Cordelia

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME CORDELIA

Cordelia is the youngest of King Lear’s three daughters in Shakespeare’s tragedy named for him and written between 1603 and 1606. Cordelia is the “good sister” – she is not only young and beautiful, she is also a dutiful daughter who loves her father and refuses to falsely make over him in order to win more of his kingdom. For this she pays sorely. Lear disinherits her and gives all to her older sisters, banishing his erstwhile favorite from the realm. Such is her virtue, however, that the King of France is willing to accept her as a bride without a dowry, no small feat at the time. Cordelia goes on to raise an army in France to assist her father during his subsequent ill-treatment at the hands of her sisters and his descent into madness. For her filial devotion she is rewarded with the renewal of her father’s love for and belief in her – alas – she is also hanged for her efforts. It appears that virtue must be its own reward in this little world, for it surely is not rewarded in Cordelia’s lifetime!

King Lear

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME CORDELIA

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Cordelia


Popular Songs

ON CORDELIA

Cordelia Brown
a song by Harry Belafonte

Cordelia
a song by The Tragically Hip

Famous People

NAMED CORDELIA

Cordelia of Briton (legendary Queen of the Britons)
Cordelia Strube (Canadian writer)

Children of Famous People

NAMED CORDELIA

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Cordelia

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME CORDELIA

William Shakespeare did not invent his character Cordelia out of thin air in the early 17th century. Rather he was influenced by the 12th century works of Geoffrey of Monmouth who wrote the then-definitive history on Britain, Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain), which featured the story of King Leir and his daughters. There is no evidence or factual proof that the Leir family actually existed, but it was taken as truth (most likely a lively embellishment of long-lived oral traditions). In any case, like Shakespeare’s “King Lear”, the king decided to split his kingdom among his three daughters but first asked each of them to demonstrate their love. The two older daughters (Goneril and Regan) gave their father the answers he desired; but the youngest, Cordelia, only spoke plainly and honestly (which was her nature). Angered by her lacking response, Leir disinherited her and refused to offer a dowry to Aganippus (the King of the Franks across the channel in Gaul) who asked for Cordelia’s hand in marriage. Aganippus married Cordelia anyway and the two returned to Gaul. In the meantime, the duplicitous Goneril and Regan (and their respective husbands) rose up against King Leir and took over the entire kingdom for themselves. Clearly seeing the errors of his way, King Leir sought refuge in the arms of his only honest and good daughter Cordelia in Gaul. Cordelia’s husband, Aganippus, amassed his own Gaulish army for Leir and the usurpers were quickly defeated. King Leir was reinstated as King of Briton and Cordelia would inhereit the throne upon her father’s death three years later. This is how Cordelia became Queen of Briton – a reign that would last for five years – until her nephews (the sons of Goneril and Regan) went to war against her. Once defeated and imprisoned by her own kin, the brokenhearted Cordelia committed suicide. After Queen Gwendolen, according to Geoffrey of Monmouth at least, Cordelia was the second female leader of the Celtic Britons dating back to the start of England’s history. Shakespeare was writing during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I so strong female rulers were not exactly foreign to the English (as they are to Americans). And certainly those ancient Celtic women had even stronger countenances!