Cordel

“Portuguese”

Portugal origin · Boy name

♂ 97% boys♀ 3% girls

#8895US 2020

7Births / yr

↑Rising

439All-time births

📅 Since 198200

How to pronounce Cordel

KAW·RDEL

/ˈkɔ.ˈrdɛl/ · stress on KAW · 2 syllables

“Portuguese”

Portugal origin · Boy name

What does Cordel mean and where does it come from?

The name Cordel is derived from the Portuguese term 'cordel' which refers to a traditional form of popular literature, often printed on paper and hung from strings (cords) in markets. It is especially known in the Northeastern regions of Brazil. The history of cordel literature is rich, dating back

Cultural significance

Cordel has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Portugal-speaking communities, where it reflects values of portuguese.

Peak popularity

Reached #2300 in 1997 — currently #8895 in the US.

🌿

How else can you spell Cordel?

Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive

Cordelle

Spelling variant

What middle names flow best with Cordel?

Cordel works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Cordel Grace

How popular is Cordel right now?

Rising fast — up 1247 spots — currently #8895 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1990–2020#8895 · Top 6.6%

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2020	#9833	7	▲ up 1247 · +17% births
2015	#11080	6	▼ down 4558 · -54% births
2010	#6522	13	▲ up 351 · +18% births
2005	#6873	11	▼ down 3367 · -54% births
2000	#3506	24	▼ down 586 · -4% births
1995	#2920	25	▲ up 4019 · +257% births
1990	#6939	7	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Cordel

Best Year1995Rank #2920

Peak Count25

Average Rank#6810

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1990 - 20207 years

The story of Cordel

Cordel is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1982. With 439 total births recorded, Cordel remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #6939 in 1990, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #9833 in 2020.

Names that peaked alongside Cordel in 1997:

Michael Jacob Matthew Christopher Joshua

Cordel by decade

Cordel peaked in the 1990s. See all 1990s names →

Decade	Births
1980s	42
1990s ★	194
2000s	144
2010s	52
2020s	7

💎Cordel has only 439 total recorded births since 1982 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Cordel?

Common

CorCoOrdel

What names sound and feel like Cordel?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Cordel also consider these

English · A variation of

Kordel

American · The one who

Cardel

American · A variant of

Common questions about the name Cordel

What does the name Cordel mean?

Cordel means "Portuguese" — a name rooted in Portugal tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Cordel?

Cordel is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Cordel have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Cordel?

Cordel originates from Portugal tradition. Portugal names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Cordel?

Cordel is a two-syllable name pronounced K AO1 R D EH1 L. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

Is Cordel trending right now?

Cordel is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.