Comments
Meaning
Usage
Pronunciation
Famous
Impression
Other
Reminds me of those black, orange and white fish, not like that's a bad thing, I think those fish are pretty.
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Cordelia is elegant and classic. I find it beautiful. Cordelia is also professional sounding in my opinion. It is the name of my daughter born October 2023.
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It’s funny, when I was a kid I thought Anne Shirley was crazy for wanting to be called this, but now it’s in my top ten, the beauty of this name speaks for itself!
Edit: today I realized that Cozy/Cosy could, by a stretch, be a nickname for Cordelia and I’m obsessed! I like the other nicknames for Cordelia (Cora, Cordy, Coco, etc) but I was never crazy about any of them. Cordelia “Cozy” I totally love.
5
Edit: today I realized that Cozy/Cosy could, by a stretch, be a nickname for Cordelia and I’m obsessed! I like the other nicknames for Cordelia (Cora, Cordy, Coco, etc) but I was never crazy about any of them. Cordelia “Cozy” I totally love.
5
This name is so beautiful. I totally understand why Anne wanted this to be her name (Anne is a nice name too, of course). It’s so gentle and elegant, like being in a boat gently rocked by the waves. The D is such a comforting sound, which makes it in my opinion much nicer than the harsh N of Cornelia. This name makes me think of an graceful but fun loving girl!
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“If you'll only call me Anne spelled with an E I shall try to reconcile myself to not being called Cordelia." - Anne Shirley.
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Cordelia Wilson (1873 – 1953) was a painter noted for her landscapes of New Mexico and the American Southwest.
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What an enchanting and charming name! Has a trendy sound to it as well. How is it out of the top 1000?
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Cordelia Carstairs is a character from Cassandra Clare's book series, The Last Hours.
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This is one of my absolute favourite names. Cornelia is nice, but is sounds too much like corn. I like Ophelia too.
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Cordelia Deleon is a character from the novel "The Black Veins" by Ashia Monet.
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I love the meaning, but I'm not a fan of the "Cord" part.
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It's an absolutely good name, classic, formal, literate, sophisticated. I don't really know why I picture Cordelia as a rich girl who tries hard to play perfect but actually philistine. Maybe a bit gaudy to me, sorry.
-1
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This is a beautiful name. What I find a little odd, however, is that it seems to be on everybody's name list on this website despite being very rare in real life. (I have never met a Cordelia and I can think of exactly three fictional bearers: the Cordelia from Fire Emblem Awakening, the Cordelia from King Lear, and the Cordelia from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.)
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It's a name that is a bit "stern" for lack of a better word but still very beautiful and charming. I see this one as being a "lady boss" name in the ranks of Meredith and Veronica and having a lot of weight and strength to it. If that isn't your cup of tea I'd recommend the softer alternatives Adelia, Odelia or Ophelia. But if you consider it your taste I think it is totally usable on a person. We need more strong female names in the world in my opinion. If you like it, go for it :)
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All I can think of is the word “chord”.
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Is important to do a through research before naming a baby. I named my daughter Daphne, and when she was in high school she regretted (only once) her name, she said there was a boy chasing her, like in Greek mythology Daphne was chased. Daphne also means journey crowned with triumphs, that’s why I chose that name. Make sure the name won’t be made into a tease once the child goes to school. A nurse named her son Chris, and the last name was French “Nugget.” Well, the poor child was Called Crispy Nugget by his classmates!
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This is an elegant and gorgeous name, and a noble Shakespearean character.
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Wonderful name! So pretty, and not overused.
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It is indeed a beautiful name and sounds Victorian. I've come up with a couple of nicknames like Odel, Lia, Calia.
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Strongly dislike. Sounds strange. Sorry.
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Sounds stuffy. I prefer Cornelia.
-16
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I first heard this name from Cassie Clare‘s new book ‘Chain of Gold’. Cordelia is such a pretty name.
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Not bad. But I much prefer Ophelia.
0
0
One of the most beautiful names ever, for me.
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This name has also been found to have originated from the City of Babel to many known as Babylon she was also a princess but its point origin defined was not available.
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Some other people have mentioned this above: the name theoretically comes from Creiddylad, which could mean a few different things. The first part, "Creid" or "Cord" in Cordelia could derive from Welsh *craidd "heart", or *creu "to create", or *creir "token, jewel, sacred object". The latter part, "dylad" or "delia" derives from either *dylad, meaning "water", or possibly *dyled, "debt". This is all a theory, however considering the Geographical location, and how old the story of Cordelia and King Lear is, it's a likely possibility.
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I love love love this name so much so that I named one of my dogs Cordelia. My Cordelia's nickname was Cordy and I pronounced her name Cor-dee-lee-ya.
I didn't know Cordelia meant heart or full of heart when I chose it (I named her after the Buffy character), but it turned out to be very fitting. She was picked up as a stray already a middle-aged dog and I had her for seven years during which she had cancer that resulted in a leg amputation, grew a massive (benign) tumor in her belly that when discovered was fully 10% of her body weight, went partially deaf and blind, and had weird annual blood panel results that contradicted each other and caused our perplexed vet to say one time that Cordy was medically odd and couldn't be figured out on paper or through science.
Through all this, she was feisty, joyful, and a little dog that lived and loved her life and her family with all her heart. None of the above truly slowed her down; she might adjust how she did things, but no matter what, she always got up and moved forward. This month, she was diagnosed with brain cancer and, as she could no longer walk or eat, we decided to put her down and her mighty heart finally stopped.
This entry is long, and I'm sorry about that. All this was really to say that I find this to be a beautiful, strong name and, if you believe a name can help shape character or destiny, I think it's a wonderful choice.
7
I didn't know Cordelia meant heart or full of heart when I chose it (I named her after the Buffy character), but it turned out to be very fitting. She was picked up as a stray already a middle-aged dog and I had her for seven years during which she had cancer that resulted in a leg amputation, grew a massive (benign) tumor in her belly that when discovered was fully 10% of her body weight, went partially deaf and blind, and had weird annual blood panel results that contradicted each other and caused our perplexed vet to say one time that Cordy was medically odd and couldn't be figured out on paper or through science.
Through all this, she was feisty, joyful, and a little dog that lived and loved her life and her family with all her heart. None of the above truly slowed her down; she might adjust how she did things, but no matter what, she always got up and moved forward. This month, she was diagnosed with brain cancer and, as she could no longer walk or eat, we decided to put her down and her mighty heart finally stopped.
This entry is long, and I'm sorry about that. All this was really to say that I find this to be a beautiful, strong name and, if you believe a name can help shape character or destiny, I think it's a wonderful choice.
7
Ugly old women's name. Like ewwww!
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My name was almost Cordelia, which sucked because now I have a very common name. I wish I could change my name to this.
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This is my grandma's first name, although she goes by her middle name of Chlorene, she has always pronounced it Kor-dill-ya.
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Lovely, beautiful name. Delia is a cute nickname.
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Cordelia is a character from Fire Emblem. She is a Pegasus rider, she is beautiful and is talented in everything, but she suffers for being platonically in love with the prince, despite being perfect in every other aspect.
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Once I didn't care for this name but recently it is fastly growing in my mind. I love all the meanings listed here, plus it could be perfectly Italian despite that it isn't used yet. Beautiful!
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In 2018, 7 is the most common age for an American (U.S.) Cordelia who is registered female with the Social Security Administration. It is the 2, 901st most common female first name for living U.S. citizens.
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Being named Cordelia, I am astonished that they did not put the meaning here! But anyway, if you are curious, it means "Heart of a lion", which is honestly awesome.
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I prefer the French form, but I also like this name. Corie would be cute, or even Ella. I definitely prefer this to Cornelia, as I don't like the corn sound in it.
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It’s my name and I don’t like it, I find it embarrassing to use and no one can ever say it and it doesn’t match my personality whatsoever. However I’m 14 and now everyone knows me by this name so I can’t change it.
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In both 'Anne of Green Gables' adaptations that I've seen as well as all of both 'Buffy' and 'Angel', this name is consistently pronounced as 'kor-DEEL-ee-ə'. First syllable rhyming with 'or'/'oar', second sounding exactly like 'deal'. I've never heard either of the listed pronunciations.
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I've lived with this name for almost 55 years, and I have loved every moment of it. I've met a few with the name, and in grade school had a good friend named Cornelia. A few years ago, I met someone named Cordelia at my church. Even our last names are very similar.
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My daughter's name is Cordelia. I had fallen in love with the name from the one daughter in King Lear who remains true, even though it meant her life. Then, the youngest daughter of the Marchmain family in Brideshead Revisited completely charmed me. Growing up, my Cordelia was Cory, or Coco, or, really, a thousand pet names. Now she's grown, and has chosen to use Cordelia as her professional name. Full circle of life...
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What a glorious name Cordelia is. It's a literary gem of a name and reminds me of a strong feminine woman that would be a politician or a well respected leader of the community.
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Love this name... and it's so unique & rare. I like Cornelia too, but there's just something awkward about the "Corn" when I think about it--and I wouldn't want "Corny" as a nickname, haha. Cordelia has that same prettiness but sounds a bit more elegant to my ear.
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3
It is my name and I love it. I've met only a few people that bear Cordelia. It is a unique name. I am nicknamed 'Cordy' but I think I love 'cora' too.
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This is my name and I love it. It was my grandmother's middle name, so my mother gave me my name Cordelia Ioma, very different. I have to say no one has my name, haven't ran into any one with it.
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To be cordial is a good thing, but where I live, a portal city, we have the slang for a townie as a "cod head". I would worry that a girl with this name here would be called Cod-eelia! But aside from that I just love this name. I think it is melodic and different from the norm.
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My name is Cordelia. I was named after my dad's mother's sister. While growing up, I did not like my name so I would go by my middle name. Many of my peers did not know how to pronounce my name, or they would make fun of it. It wasn't until I became an adult and a Christian, that I began to use my true given first name. I love the meaning "Jewel of the Sea". It so fits the life that I am living as a Christian.
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Mexican artist Cordelia Urueta Sierra.
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Cordelia is a beautiful name. And Cordelia is an awesome, courageous, loyal, compassionate and forgiving character in William Shakespeare's play King Lear which makes me love the name more. ♥
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I always have loved the name Cordelia. My younger sister's middle name is Cordelia and I was always jealous because I felt my middle name Anne was simple and boring by comparison (this is before I read Anne of Green Gables haha). I have twin girls almost two years old now, Cordelia and Adelaide. Everyone they meet loves their names and always compliments me on them. They haven't really grown into any nicknames yet but sometimes we call her Cordelia Coco or Coco-nut when she is being silly! We gave Cordelia the middle name Anne.
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I love this name, it's so beautiful.
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Was the name of the witch played by Sarah Paulson in American Horror Story: Coven.
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Various interpretations of the name. I have found:
Daughter of the sea
Daughter by the sea
Jewel of the sea
Heart of lion (from French Couer de lion)
Sweetheart/lateborn (from Latin Cordula)
The general population agree it is Welsh though, so I am more inclined to think that the first 3 would be more accurate, though the name is undeniably similar to the other two.
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Daughter of the sea
Daughter by the sea
Jewel of the sea
Heart of lion (from French Couer de lion)
Sweetheart/lateborn (from Latin Cordula)
The general population agree it is Welsh though, so I am more inclined to think that the first 3 would be more accurate, though the name is undeniably similar to the other two.
11
I love this name, and the fact it is used in literature, is a definite plus. And I was a grunge/goth teen in the late 90's, so I was a Buffy the Vampire slayer fan too. And I'm 1/4 Welsh. So for me, it's all good!
Nicknames I have found and like are:
Cora
Cordy
Cory
Coco
Cody
Delia
Lia
Dee
Dee-dee.
10
Nicknames I have found and like are:
Cora
Cordy
Cory
Coco
Cody
Delia
Lia
Dee
Dee-dee.
10
All of the above commentators' suggested etymologies for the name are true to a point. Proto Indo-European linguistic analysis can be used, given that the phonetics and meanings of the suggested origins are analogous. A full Isogloss can be formed from the Greek, Latin, and Welsh/Celtic etymologies. Would suggest that they are cognates with a single Proto Indo-European origin/root.
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=heart&allowed_in_frame=0
The latter part of the name is harder to exactly determine a single PIE etymology. The "further" you get in time from the oldest recorded cases of Indo-European languages, the less heavily inflected they become. That is, the endings of words when you conjugate/decline them, become simpler and simpler.
In general, however, the latter part of the name, I think, can be summarized as an idea of fullness, totality, great magnitude, which, metaphorically, have PIE roots similar to gluttony, the sky, and the sea.
3
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=heart&allowed_in_frame=0
The latter part of the name is harder to exactly determine a single PIE etymology. The "further" you get in time from the oldest recorded cases of Indo-European languages, the less heavily inflected they become. That is, the endings of words when you conjugate/decline them, become simpler and simpler.
In general, however, the latter part of the name, I think, can be summarized as an idea of fullness, totality, great magnitude, which, metaphorically, have PIE roots similar to gluttony, the sky, and the sea.
3
The name Cordelia is of Celtic origin and means "of the sea" or "jewel of the sea."
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My current top baby girl name! Nicknames Cora and Delia are lovely, as is the full name.
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I love this name and am thinking of it for my next daughter! I LOVE that it is Greek and that it has this mystical sound to it. Very good for a woman and Cordy is cute for a little girl.
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The name Cordelia was given to 204 baby girls born in the US in 2012.
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Cordelia Gallo is a character in the Gosick series.
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Cordelia is a beautiful name (or rather, Kordelia), and Kori, Delia, Dee, and Lia are cool too. I've only heard it pronounced Cor-DEE-lee-uh. Even though the Shakespearean character is weak and sniveling, I would prefer this association rather than that dumb story Anne of Green Gables, or even worse Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Kordelia (or Cordelia) is prettier than it's cousins, Caroline, Carolyn and Coraline. It goes well with Dahlia as sisters.
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-15
The name is of Celtic origin and probably translates to mean "of the sea".
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I think I like Karcooka's suggestions for nicknames the best: "Cordelia's petforms: Corra, Delia, Lia." Whoever mentioned Cordy, I'm sorry no. It sounds so masculine, similar to Cory.
I personally prefer Delia over the longform, too stuffy for me, whereas Delia seems more modern and delicate.
When I first heard Cordelia I think of an old woman from the Victorian age, but remembering Anne of Green Gables it makes me think of raspberry cordial! (Which sounds delicious!) And I also forgot that character from Buffy, ironic her character's name is so uncommon when the actress who plays her was named Charisma Carpenter.
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I personally prefer Delia over the longform, too stuffy for me, whereas Delia seems more modern and delicate.
When I first heard Cordelia I think of an old woman from the Victorian age, but remembering Anne of Green Gables it makes me think of raspberry cordial! (Which sounds delicious!) And I also forgot that character from Buffy, ironic her character's name is so uncommon when the actress who plays her was named Charisma Carpenter.
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The heiress in Monte Carlo (played by Selena Gomez) and Cordelia Chase (the popular cheerleader in Buffy) bears this name.
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Sisters Cordelia and Tabitha. Cords and Tabs! Either destined to be secretaries, or more optimistically, technicians!
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This name makes me think of Anne of Green Gables. And that is why I love it :) A cute nickname is Delia.
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I prefer this name said 'core-deal-yuh'. I think it's prettier that way.
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I think that Cordelia is an extraordinarily beautiful name. However, I don't like any nicknames for Cordelia. I think that Cordelia is a sublimely beautiful name and I wouldn't want to ruin it with a nickname. (Just my opinion-no offense to anyone who does like/use nicknames for Cordelia.)
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I've been doing a little bit of digging around this name; it has been well documented over the years that this name could be derived from an Anglicized corruption of the Old French "coeur de lion", which means "lion heart" in English, denoting bravery and loyalty. I think this is a beautiful name, whatever the meaning may be. :)
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My daughter is Cordelia, we use the nickname Cia (Kia).
If considering this name, be prepared for the neverending 'oh like from Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Anne of Green Gables?' comments.
Surprisingly, not many people suggest the Shakespeare connection (at least thus far).
But go for it, Cordelia suits my little girl amazingly well, and the name is as stunning as she is.
8
If considering this name, be prepared for the neverending 'oh like from Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Anne of Green Gables?' comments.
Surprisingly, not many people suggest the Shakespeare connection (at least thus far).
But go for it, Cordelia suits my little girl amazingly well, and the name is as stunning as she is.
8
Cordelia is also a genus of butterflies.
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Nice name! And so many nicknames too. Cory, Cora, Cordy, Delia, Lee, Lia.
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I really like this name, I by far prefer it to the more common and overused Delia, and I really like the nickname Cordie. I've also heard of another nickname for Cordelia which is Corrie, which I'm not such a fan of, but nevertheless, great name. :)
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Cordelia is the youngest child of Lady and Lord Marchmain of Brideshead in Evelyn Waugh's novel 'Brideshead Revisited.'
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Cordele, a small town in south Georgia, was named after Cordelia Hawkins, the daughter of the owner of the SAM railroad it built up around. My family lived here when I was born and I grew up both in it and in another small town about twenty miles from it. It is a nice, quiet little town.
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It's nice. Good nickname options such as Cora or Lia. Just don't name her sister Guinevere like I saw one person consider but this time it was choosing Cordelia to go with Guinevere. Cordelia is highly noted for her enduring loyalty, one of the reasons I like this name, the Shakespearean character. Obviously, Guinevere is famous for her terrible betrayal. Would be mismatched literary pair to say the least.
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Well this may just be me but it sounds kind of like Cordele, a small town in south Georgia. I have family there. Getting off subject. Over all I like the name.
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I think Cordelia is a beautiful, musical name. I didn't think so when I was little, because people mispronounced it a lot. I love it now. There has been a Cordelia or Kordelia in my family for the past 200 years - usually one every other generation.
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It's a pretty name, but it makes me think of chords and deals and dealing. I wonder if there is a French form Cordelie out there? That would sound nicer.
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1
Shakespeare's version of "King Lear" (many of his plays are based on other literature to some degree or another) is the only version in which Cordelia dies. She lives in other surviving versions.
(Norrie Epstein, "The Friendly Shakespeare", p. 398.)
2
(Norrie Epstein, "The Friendly Shakespeare", p. 398.)
2
I think this is the name of a minor character on Days of Our Lives, she's called Cordy most of the time.
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1
Cordelia actually comes from the name Creiddylad.
Creiddylad is a daughter of Lludd Llaw Eraint in Welsh mythology. Originally betrothed to Gwythr ap Greidawl, she is abducted by Gwyn ap Nudd, causing the two rivals to go to war over her. In the early Arthurian tale Culhwch and Olwen, King Arthur settles the feud by arranging for the two to battle every May Day until Doomsday. She is compared to the Greek goddess Persephone; and Cordelia is the English version of her name.
6
Creiddylad is a daughter of Lludd Llaw Eraint in Welsh mythology. Originally betrothed to Gwythr ap Greidawl, she is abducted by Gwyn ap Nudd, causing the two rivals to go to war over her. In the early Arthurian tale Culhwch and Olwen, King Arthur settles the feud by arranging for the two to battle every May Day until Doomsday. She is compared to the Greek goddess Persephone; and Cordelia is the English version of her name.
6
I, personally, love this name. I don't know why. It's so beautiful, polished and sophisticated. At least, that's how it sounds. I like the nickname Cora, rather than Cordy.
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I think this is a pretty name. I've known only one Cordelia and everyone called her Dee Dee.
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Cordelia´s petforms: Corra, Delia, Lia.
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Many namebooks say that Cordelia means "jewel of the sea".
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Cordelia´s pet forms are Cora, Corri, Delia.
Pronounced as "Kawr-day-lia".
-4
Pronounced as "Kawr-day-lia".
-4
Love this name! It's unique, beautiful, and intelligent. I also like the nickname Delia for it, though I don't know if that's too cutesy for an adult.
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Cordelia in King Lear did not succeed as the ruler of the Britons. For one, the original plan was to split the kingdom between the three daughters, although she was disinherited and married to the King of France. For two, Cordelia was killed in the end of the play. [noted -ed]
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Cordelia is such a beautiful name. It's quite dignified and classic. It's also a unique name - you don't meet many girls named Cordelia these days!
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I think the nickname Dellie would be nice.
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5
Definitely one of my favourite names. I love the victorian feal that it has about it. In modern times, it might be a bit much in a first name, but it would make a wonderful middle name.
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I love the name Cordelia, but I hate the Shakespearian princess who bears this name. She's so weak and pathetic and goody-goody. I'd rather be Goneril, the evil sister, Mwa ha ha ha!
-5
-5
Cordelia also means heart, and she was not only a queen in Shakespeare but a forgotten princess in real life. Although that princess has nothing to do with the Cordelia in the play.
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Cordelia is a small moon of Uranus.
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Comes from Cordula. The name comes from Latin and means as much as sweet hearts or lateborn. The name was selected gladly for lateborn daughters. Other forms are Kordelia, Cora, Kordula, Cordula. Name day is 22 October.
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This is what Anne said she wanted to be called when she first arrived at Green Gables and Marilla asked her what her name was.
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There was a character on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and later the spinoff show Angel, with this name.
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A cute nickname is "Cordy".
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It is ancient Greek, it means "daughter by the sea": "Kore-(de)-Alia". From the Greek words "Kore" (daughter) and "alia" (next to the sea, "als" means sea in ancient Greek). It is well known that Shakespeare had a great knowledge of the ancient Greek language (and literature).
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It's extremely uncertain actually. It's also thought by some that he may have derived it from the Latin 'cor' (the genitive of which is 'cordis', meaning the stem is 'cord'), or even that it comes from some Celtic origin.
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Normally pronounced kor-DEEL-ee-a, rather than kor-DELL-ee-a.
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Comments are left by users of this website. They are not checked for accuracy.
I will add, in Spanish this would be pronounced corr-DEH-lya (rolling the R).
I'm Hispanic myself and this is how I was inclined to pronounce it upon first reading it; I hadn't encountered the other pronunciation. I don't roll the R myself, but I do say DEH-lya. To be clear, I think the English way is just as pretty, DEH-lya is my personal preference.