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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Ophelia or Cordelia?

35 replies

misshazel · 03/10/2022 21:09

Which do you prefer and why?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 04/10/2022 00:28

DinosaurPyjamas · 03/10/2022 22:21

Cordelia, because:

Buffy
nn Cordy
Ophelia is overdone and clichéd

As above 👆

brookln · 04/10/2022 00:31

backacge · 03/10/2022 21:23

Ophelia. Cordelia just makes me think of cordial for some reason.

Same

UpToMyElbowsInDiapers · 04/10/2022 00:32

Pattygonia · 03/10/2022 21:32

I prefer the name cordelia but can't get past the Shakespeare tragic heroine connotation for both. Ophelia particularly is very much a passive victim whereas at least Cordelia is more assertive

If I wanted a Shakespeare name I'd go for Portia, Rosalind, Beatrice or Miranda

Absolutely what I was thinking! Beatrice all the way.

Cheeselog · 04/10/2022 00:36

Cordelia - Ophelia obviously sad connotations whereas Cordelia is the good daughter of King Lear and also the name Anne of Green Gables always fantasised about, so much more positive. You could shorten it to Corey, Delia or Lia.

DeeDeeDaisy · 04/10/2022 22:46

Both make me think of Shakespeare. Prefer Cordelia though

MrsSamR · 05/10/2022 20:57

I prefer Ophelia and picked it for my daughter - our second daughter will be Perdita so that's another one to throw into the mix. I actually love Cordelia too but we thought Ophelia and Cordelia was a bit matchy matchy!

EdgeOfACoin · 06/10/2022 06:43

Cordelia, Ophelia and Olivia are all four-syllable names ending in '-ia'.

As is Amelia, which is one of the most popular girls' names in the country.

I fail to understand why children would think Cordelia is a posh name whereas Amelia and Olivia aren't.

generalh · 06/10/2022 06:48

Cornelia... shorten to Connie if preferred.

Lilacsunflowers · 06/10/2022 09:49

I fail to understand why children would think Cordelia is a posh name whereas Amelia and Olivia aren't.

Because English society has strange ideas about 'posh' names.

Why are Hugo, Horatio and Hubert considered posh whereas Hayden, Harry and Hunter aren't.

I find it strange too

Cheeselog · 06/10/2022 09:53

@Lilacsunflowers Lack of history in use as given names. Hayden and Hunter are surnames and Harry is a nickname for Henry.

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