Cordes
Derived from the French word meaning "cords" or "ropes".
Name Census estimates that about 0 living Americans carry the first name Cordes. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Cordes today is around 0 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Cordes births was 1925 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Cordes. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Cordes. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
0
~ - Americans
Peak year
1925
5 babies that year
Average age
-
1925 SSA rank
#4,335
Tracked since 1925
Popularity
Cordes: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Cordes by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Cordes during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Cordes
The given name Cordes has its origins in the French language and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a derivation of the Old French word "corde," meaning "rope" or "cord." This etymology suggests that the name might have initially referred to an occupation or trade related to rope-making or cord-weaving.
In medieval France, surnames often originated from occupations, physical attributes, or locations. Therefore, it is plausible that Cordes was initially a surname given to individuals involved in rope-making or cord-weaving professions before eventually transitioning into a given name.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Cordes can be traced back to the 13th and 14th centuries in various medieval French documents and records. However, its usage as a given name remained relatively uncommon until the Renaissance period.
One of the earliest notable individuals with the name Cordes was Gérard Cordes, a French monk and theologian who lived in the 14th century. He is known for his writings on canon law and his contributions to the Council of Constance, a significant ecclesiastical council held in the early 15th century.
In the 16th century, Jean Cordes, a French potter and ceramicist, gained recognition for his innovative techniques and skilled craftsmanship. His works, particularly his intricate and ornate pottery pieces, were highly sought after by the nobility and wealthy patrons of the time.
During the 17th century, Jacques Cordes, a French philosopher and mathematician, made significant contributions to the field of mathematics. His work on algebraic equations and geometric proofs earned him a place among the renowned thinkers of his era.
In the 19th century, Louis Cordes, a French painter and illustrator, became known for his breathtaking landscapes and depictions of rural life in France. His paintings captured the beauty of the French countryside and were widely admired by art enthusiasts and critics alike.
Another notable figure with the name Cordes was Pierre Cordes, a French architect who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was responsible for designing several iconic buildings and structures in Paris, including the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais, both of which are now celebrated landmarks in the city.
While the given name Cordes has its roots in the French language and culture, it has also been adopted and used in other parts of the world, particularly in regions with French influence or colonial ties. However, its usage and popularity have remained relatively limited compared to other French names.
People
Cordes + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Cordes as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with C
Other first names starting with C with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Cordes: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Cordes?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 0 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Cordes going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about - US residents.
Is Cordes a common name?
We classify Cordes as "Very Rare". It ranks above 2.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Cordes most popular?
The single biggest year for Cordes was 1925, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Cordes is about 0 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Cordes in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Cordes a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Cordes in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Cordes still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Cordes in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Cordes can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many Americans are named Cordes?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.