I’ve been looking for some new article ideas lately, and this one, submitted by a loyal reader, caught my eye. Essentially, a baby name battle consists of two names similar in sound or style going head to head for the title of the better name. Today, I chose two names ending in -elia for the first baby name battle, but if you have suggestions of names you want to see battled, make sure to submit my contact form. This is all in good fun, so if one of your favorites doesn’t succeed, it doesn’t mean that the name you treasure isn’t usable, just that the perks of the other name appeal more to my standards. So let the battle begin!
Cornelia
Popularity in 2018: n/a
Origin: Latin
Pros: Cornelia is a gorgeous name that almost no one is using; a ripe-for-revival gem that’s a less popular take on the Shakespearean Cordelia. Equipped with rising nicknames Nellie and Cora, this dramatic beauty can also be toned down and shortened. Famous wearers of this Latin moniker include volleyball player Cornelia Dumler and a helper of Jews in the Holocaust, Cornelia “Corrie” Ten Boom. A sister name to Coralie, Cordelia, and Cressida, Cornelia is flowing and regal in sound as well as in association.
Cons: Unfortunately, Nellie and Cora aren’t very intuitive nicknames, stylish though they are. When we hear Eleanor, we expect the short form Ellie, not Nell or Nora, and it is inevitable that Cornelia will someday be shortened to Corny. And as graceful and appealing as Cornelia is in full, it’s a lot of syllables to call out on a day-to-day basis just to turn your daughter’s head, making a nickname mandatory for many families. But the lack of appropriate and intuitive nicknames isn’t all that sets Cornelia back. Because Cordelia is significantly more popular and shares many sounds with Cornelia, chances are that childcare providers and teachers will constantly call your Cornelia by the name Cordelia, expecting to hear children with that name instead.
Ophelia
Popularity in 2018: #373
Origin: Greek
Pros: Ophelia is a dramatic and darling alternative to the classic but wildly popular Olivia, so it’s no question why she places so high in the US top 1000. The O beginning is a real showstopper, while the -lia ending grounds and feminizes this gorgeous Greek appellation. Ophelia not only provides a less popular option for parents who adore Olivia but aren’t quite willing to choose a popular name, she’s also a celebrity favorite. The name of both the daughter of Roald Dahl and Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters, Ophelia has impeccable credentials in several categories.
Cons: Ophelia gets negative points for the same thing Cornelia did: nicknames. Although Ophie is ok, it doesn’t seem to live up to the stunning Ophelia. But the absence of nicknames isn’t even Ophelia’s fatal flaw. In my opinion, Ophelia’s biggest downfall is how much people like her. After leaving the top 1000 for 57 years, she reentered as a rare but beautiful alternative to Olivia, and parents adored her. Jumping from #979 in 2015 to #550 in 2016, Ophelia has leaped just over 600 spots in 4 years, making her trendy. Although trendy names can be lovely, Michelle feels out of place on anyone but a grown woman, and Brandon screams 2000s. Just as those names now feel dated, Ophelia, too, will lose her sparkle if she’s overused, and her current spike in popularity shows no sign of stopping. Finally, Ophelia’s associations aren’t very positive. Although Ophelia is Shakespearean and the love interest of the protagonist in Hamlet, she ends up tragically drowning in a state of madness, and there is sadness in this association.
So, what’s the final verdict? Cornelia, while having great associations, being blissfully rare, and having on trend nickname options, has a problematic first syllable that may lead to an unwanted but intuitive nickname. And Ophelia, although she puts a more elaborate twist on a name beloved by many, has had a spike in popularity, making her quite a trendy choice despite a lack of nickname options. Both have their highs and lows, so to me, it all comes down to sound, and while many people adore Olivia and Olympia, I much prefer the likes of Cordelia and Coraline, making Cornelia’s sound much more appealing. Not only that, Nellie is one of my favorite nicknames for girls, so although it might not be the most intuitive, it is a bonus for me. Despite it being a tight race, Cornelia has to be the winner when measured up against my standards. However, I do see why Ophelia has risen so much higher than Cornelia when it comes to the stats, and I would choose Ophelia over Cornelia if only it had a nickname option.
Sincerely,
~Delphina Moon
Did you enjoy the baby name battle? Do you agree with my final ruling, or do you think Ophelia should’ve won? Let me know in the comments below, or submit my form with some other names you would like to see in a baby name battle.
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