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Help[Opinions] Cordelia
I posted about Delia the other day, and BrilliantBlue suggested Cordelia nn Delia. This reminded me that I do like Cordelia a lot, like various other Shakesperean names.
However, 2 things bug me about it:
-doesn't it sound a bit pretentious sort of: "Look I'm a snooty literary type who names her kids after Shakesperean heroines." Oddly enough, other Shakesperean names, like Ophelia for instance, don't give me the same vibe.
-is the connotation with King Lear too bleak and depressing?
Any other thoughts on Cordelia?
However, 2 things bug me about it:
-doesn't it sound a bit pretentious sort of: "Look I'm a snooty literary type who names her kids after Shakesperean heroines." Oddly enough, other Shakesperean names, like Ophelia for instance, don't give me the same vibe.
-is the connotation with King Lear too bleak and depressing?
Any other thoughts on Cordelia?
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Replies
It makes me think of Anne of Green Gables...
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I think it's a beutiful name
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I love Cordelia - I'd use it in a second - dh hates it though. He screws up his face whenever I mention it - it's his least favourite of my "flowery"(i.e OTT) names.
*I* don't see it as pretentious - the tragic connotations do bother me a little but not as much as with Ophelia. I'd never use Ophelia. When I was in college my friend's boyfriend's mother had a baby and they called her Ophelia. We were horrified.They had a very cool second name that made her sound like a heroine from a Victorian novel which was good though.
*I* don't see it as pretentious - the tragic connotations do bother me a little but not as much as with Ophelia. I'd never use Ophelia. When I was in college my friend's boyfriend's mother had a baby and they called her Ophelia. We were horrified.They had a very cool second name that made her sound like a heroine from a Victorian novel which was good though.
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Honestly, I don't think enough people in America (if that's where you are) are literate enough in Shakespeare to even know that Cordelia is Lear's one nice daughter (or even that "King Lear" is a play by Shakespeare!). Besides, she *was* the GOOD daughter. It would only be a bleak and depressing connotation if you named her Regan or Goneril (although I can't see Goneril on any child, really). I get a much stronger snooty-and-pretentious-look-at-me-I'm-so-literate Shakespeare vibe from Ophelia than I do from Cordelia, although both are lovely.
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To me Cordelia is a pretty non cutsy name not at all snooty but elegant and feminine.
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I love Cordelia!
I find those concerns immaterial.
I find those concerns immaterial.
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Cordelia used to by my number 1 favorite girls' name. I still like it but it's not among my favorites at the moment.
I dislike Delia as a nickname for Cordelia. It's like using Sophie as a nickname for Sophia. Not appropriate. Not necessary. Delia is a full name, so is Sophie and I prefer both on their own.
Of course if you love both Cordelia and Delia equally it would be the perfect choice. If you really just love Delia and like Cordelia but just want to use it as something to back up Delia, it really isn't necessary. I love Ada and Adelaida equally and could never decide between the two so I'll go for Adelaida nn Ada. But I would never use Adeline, which I like a lot, just because I wanted a long form for Ada. I just don't love them equally and Ada can stand on its own. I hope you get what I mean. Don't just use Cordelia because you want a long version for Delia. Delia can stand on its own. But if you absolutely love both Delia and Cordelia then use them both.
I think most people aren't even aware of the Shakespeare connection so I wouldn't worry about it.
I dislike Delia as a nickname for Cordelia. It's like using Sophie as a nickname for Sophia. Not appropriate. Not necessary. Delia is a full name, so is Sophie and I prefer both on their own.
Of course if you love both Cordelia and Delia equally it would be the perfect choice. If you really just love Delia and like Cordelia but just want to use it as something to back up Delia, it really isn't necessary. I love Ada and Adelaida equally and could never decide between the two so I'll go for Adelaida nn Ada. But I would never use Adeline, which I like a lot, just because I wanted a long form for Ada. I just don't love them equally and Ada can stand on its own. I hope you get what I mean. Don't just use Cordelia because you want a long version for Delia. Delia can stand on its own. But if you absolutely love both Delia and Cordelia then use them both.
I think most people aren't even aware of the Shakespeare connection so I wouldn't worry about it.
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1. I don't think it sounds too pretentious. No more than like Victoria or Charlotte or Josephine. I think it sounds more old fashionedy cool. And it makes me think of Anne of Green Gables because she wanted to be named Cordelia. Although she probably got the name from Shakespeare.
2. I don't associate it with Shakespeare because I've never read King Lear. I do love Shakespeare though. I'm guessing the character isn't a great namesake? I have his complete works, I should go read that.
2. I don't associate it with Shakespeare because I've never read King Lear. I do love Shakespeare though. I'm guessing the character isn't a great namesake? I have his complete works, I should go read that.
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