UK boy's name
Cordel
A masculine name derived from the French word "cordelle" meaning rope.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2010. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Cordel is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Cordel popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2010 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4678, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 4 births.
This profile covers 7 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2008 to 2010. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 7 living people in the UK are called Cordel. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2011 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Cordel ranked #4678 for boys in England and Wales in 2010, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 4 boys were registered as Cordel.
- • About 7 living people in the UK are estimated to have Cordel as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4678
2010
Births in 2010
3
Latest year
Peak year
2008
4 births
Estimated living
7
2026
Meaning
What does Cordel mean?
The given name Cordel is believed to have its origins in the Portuguese language, with roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is derived from the word "cordel," which refers to a type of popular literature composed in verse form and often sold by traveling poets and minstrels, known as "cordelistas," in rural areas of northeastern Brazil.
The earliest known usage of the name Cordel can be traced back to the 16th century, when the tradition of cordel literature flourished in Portugal and its colonies. This literary form was particularly popular among the common people, as it allowed for the dissemination of stories, legends, and news through oral recitation and the sale of inexpensive printed booklets.
Throughout the centuries, the name Cordel has been associated with individuals who played a significant role in preserving and promoting this unique literary tradition. One of the most renowned figures is Leandro Gomes de Barros (1865-1918), a Brazilian poet and cordelista who contributed greatly to the expansion and popularization of cordel literature in the northeastern region of Brazil.
Another notable figure bearing the name Cordel is João Cordel (born João Antônio do Nascimento Cordeiro, 1924-2014), a Brazilian singer and composer who drew inspiration from the cordel tradition and incorporated its themes and styles into his music, becoming a prominent figure in the Northeastern literary and musical scene.
In the realm of literature, Cordel Encantado (1920-1990), born João Justino Filho, was a celebrated Brazilian poet and cordelista known for his imaginative and whimsical verses, which often explored themes of fantasy and folklore.
Beyond Brazil, the name Cordel has also been found in other Portuguese-speaking regions, such as Portugal itself and former Portuguese colonies. One example is Cordel de Sousa (1927-2015), a Portuguese writer and journalist who gained recognition for his works on regional culture and traditions.
While the name Cordel may not be as widely known or popular as some other names, its historical significance lies in its connection to a rich literary tradition that has preserved and celebrated the stories, legends, and folklore of the Portuguese-speaking world for centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Cordel over time
The chart below shows babies named Cordel registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2008 to 2010. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Cordel, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2010, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Cordel by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Cordel was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4678 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3687 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Cordel
- Charlie 104,761
- Callum 65,796
- Connor 53,072
- Cameron 40,394
- Charles 33,091
- Christopher 26,849
- Caleb 15,553
- Corey 12,622
- Carter 11,505
- Cody 11,075
- Conor 10,298
- Christian 9,695
FAQ
Cordel: questions and answers
How popular is the name Cordel in the UK right now?
In 2010, Cordel was ranked #4678 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Cordel most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 4 babies registered as Cordel in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Cordel?
A masculine name derived from the French word "cordelle" meaning rope.
How many people are called Cordel in the UK?
A total of 7 babies have been registered as Cordel across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.