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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Original poster

Opinions on Cordelia

113 replies

juneisjuly · 23/04/2025 19:54

Cordelia is top of our list at the moment

Thought? Any similar names we might like?

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Baninarama · 26/04/2025 21:11

I know one - her name is shortened to Deya. It's a great name and you're unlikely to have two in a class, unlike if you called her something basic like Sophie or Olivia.

SallyWD · 25/04/2025 23:22

A bit too posh for me. Posh names always sound try hard.

merryhouse · 25/04/2025 22:54

I love it, but I always think "call you Cordelia?"

I like Cordie too.

Sundappledlawn · 25/04/2025 22:35

SunDey · 25/04/2025 08:15

I think of Brideshead and how Cordelia has, via some church charitable scheme, has African children named Cordelia in her honour.

Also she is Lady Cordelia and I do tend to think it is quite a posh-posh name.

I always think of the “six little black Cordelias” too.

Sundappledlawn · 25/04/2025 22:33

Very lah-di-dah

Leafusbeus · 25/04/2025 22:15

RedHelenB · 23/04/2025 20:02

Cordelia conjures up Anne of Green Gables. I thinknthe shortened name would be dee

I've never known a Cordelia in RL, but it has a satisfying sound to it when you say it, I think.
I would think Delia would be a nice diminutive.

Griffindora · 25/04/2025 17:32

Beautiful name! Especially like it shortened to ‘Dilly’. A few years’ ago I sat next to a father with a little girl by this name at a pavement cafe in London, we struck up a conversation. She was a little cutie and quite a character. I remember thinking how the name suited her. I’d go for it!

MightAsWellBeGretel · 25/04/2025 16:58

It makes me think of King Lear and Cat's Eye, where Margaret Atwood's protagonist asks why anyone would call their daughter after such a tragic character (Cordelia).

ChocolateCinderToffee · 25/04/2025 16:54

juneisjuly · 23/04/2025 20:11

Yes, we liked that meaning. DH used to be a surf instructor and we love the sea.

Show quote history

I like it. Better than all the Olivias and Emilys.

NefiBlw · 25/04/2025 08:36

Cornelia is nice too.

lifeisgoodrightnow · 25/04/2025 08:31

Our Cordelia somehow gets shortened to Ellie not sure how but it works.

another Cordelia - Cordelia Gray PD James character- unsuitable job for a lady.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 25/04/2025 08:30

60andcounting · 24/04/2025 14:45

I know a Cordelia,, she is about 55 now. The only one I've heard of..
I think it could have come from a Harold Robbins book??

It’s from King Lear!

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 25/04/2025 08:29

MiddleAgedDread · 23/04/2025 19:56

I agree, highly pretentious unless you’re the sort of person who lives on a country estate, drives an old battered Land Rover and has a Labrador in every colour.

Don’t be daft. It’s not the 80s. Names line Emilia and Isabella are ten a penny, Cordelia isn’t going to stand out.

I like it because it makes me think of the spunky daughter in King Lear - saying that I don’t really like Cordy or Dee as short forms, and it will get shortened, so that might put me off

Allegra
Domenica
Claudia
Cassia
Constancia
Marina (another sea ref)
Paloma
Olympia
Fernanda
Adela
Serena

might be others

Also Cecilia but that and its variations are getting quite popular so you might not want that

Stickortwigs · 25/04/2025 08:16

It’s one of my favourite names in the world. DH vetoed it, otherwise DD would definitely be Cordelia.

SunDey · 25/04/2025 08:15

I think of Brideshead and how Cordelia has, via some church charitable scheme, has African children named Cordelia in her honour.

Also she is Lady Cordelia and I do tend to think it is quite a posh-posh name.

NefiBlw · 24/04/2025 15:47

S0j0urn4r · 23/04/2025 19:58

I like it.
"The name Cordelia is of Latin origin, meaning "heart" or "daughter of the sea". It also has a Celtic connection, possibly from the name Creiryddlydd, which translates to "daughter of the sea,"

@S0j0urn4r , the possible connection was to Creiddylad - Wikipedia`
The given meaning is probably dodgy.

lifeisgoodrightnow · 24/04/2025 15:00

We have a Cordelia she loves it -it’s beautiful. Jewel of the sea I thought it meant.

LadyFooFooFrankentits · 24/04/2025 14:48

I like it a lot. Its a family name on DHs side but as we only have boys we never got to use it. Go for it!

Upstartled · 24/04/2025 14:45

I love Cordelia, I think it's a great name.

60andcounting · 24/04/2025 14:45

I know a Cordelia,, she is about 55 now. The only one I've heard of..
I think it could have come from a Harold Robbins book??

Gundogday · 24/04/2025 14:44

I think it’s nice. Unusual without being weird, and people know how to spell it. Quite like Dilly as a nn.

PatsFruitCake · 24/04/2025 14:44

I really like it and associate it with Cordelia Flyte from Brideshead Revisited but that wouldn't put me off.

LoveAndBeSilent · 24/04/2025 14:42

juneisjuly · 24/04/2025 14:39

Thankyou for the opinions. I haven’t seen anything I prefer or anything that puts me off so I think we will go for it.

Aw I really hope you do!! The world needs more Cordelias 🥰

LoveAndBeSilent · 24/04/2025 14:41

I have a Cordelia, often shortened to Cordie or Dilly, shes always loved it herself and still does at almost 14! I think it’s beautiful and just uncommon enough without being a made up name.