Cornelius Boy

Popularity: #856 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: kor-NEEL-yus //kɔːrˈniːliəs//

Origin: Latin; Greek

Meaning: Latin: horn; Greek: brave

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Cornelius has its roots in the Latin name "Cornelius," which is derived from the Latin word "cornu," meaning "horn." This etymology suggests connotations of strength and power, as horns have historically symbolized authority and virility. The name was used in ancient Rome and became prominent through various historical figures, including members of the Cornelia gens, a notable patrician family in Roman history.

The transition of the name into English occurred through the influence of the Latin language during the Roman occupation of Britain and later through the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, where Latin names were often adopted and adapted into Old French before entering Middle English. One of the most significant historical milestones associated with the name Cornelius is its appearance in the New Testament of the Bible, where Cornelius is depicted as a Roman centurion and the first Gentile convert to Christianity, as described in the Book of Acts (circa 1st century CE).

His story is pivotal in the early Christian church, symbolizing the opening of the faith to non-Jews and highlighting themes of inclusivity and divine revelation. The name has also been borne by various saints, including Saint Cornelius, a pope and martyr from the 3rd century, further solidifying its religious significance.

Culturally, the name Cornelius has been associated with various traditions and literary works throughout history. It appears in classical literature and has been used in various forms of art and storytelling, often embodying themes of nobility and virtue.

The diminutive form "Corny" has occasionally been used, reflecting a more familiar or affectionate tone. Overall, the name Cornelius carries a rich historical and cultural resonance, representing strength, faith, and the bridging of diverse communities.

Famous people named Cornelius

In this section, you will find notable people named Cornelius. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Cornelius who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Cornelius who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Cornelius Vanderbilt was an industrial giant best known for founding the New York Central Railroad and for his significant contributions to the shipping industry.

Cornelius F. McGowan was a notable American architect best known for his work on various historic buildings in New York City.

Fictional characters named Cornelius

The following list of fictional characters named Cornelius is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Cornelius is a fictional character from the animated film The Planet of the Apes. He is a highly intelligent chimpanzee who plays a crucial role in the story's exploration of human and ape relations.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Cornelius, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

CyrusJulianSebastianMaximilianTheodoreAugustus

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Cornelius. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

CornelClementCassiusCyrusCaspianConstantineClementine

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Cornelius was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Cornelius has ranked as high as #737 nationally, which occurred in 1974, and has been most popular in New York, Illinois, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.

In the past 5 years the name Cornelius has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Cornelius is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Cornelius was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Cornelius.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 82 82 0
2024 68 68 0
2023 83 83 0
2022 94 94 0
2021 86 86 0
2020 111 111 0
2019 107 107 0
2018 92 92 0
2017 106 106 0
2016 151 151 0
2015 154 154 0
2014 152 152 0
2013 151 151 0
2012 151 151 0
2011 154 154 0
2010 142 142 0
2009 166 166 0
2008 199 199 0
2007 200 200 0
2006 204 204 0
2005 175 175 0
2004 173 173 0
2003 222 222 0
2002 192 192 0
2001 185 185 0
2000 207 207 0
1999 230 230 0
1998 237 237 0
1997 222 222 0
1996 244 244 0
1995 261 261 0
1994 273 273 0
1993 306 306 0
1992 353 353 0
1991 369 369 0
1990 401 396 5
1989 432 432 0
1988 382 374 8
1987 402 394 8
1986 401 391 10
1985 385 378 7
1984 419 410 9
1983 391 386 5
1982 431 422 9
1981 460 454 6
1980 450 439 11
1979 406 399 7
1978 435 426 9
1977 414 408 6
1976 416 411 5
1975 426 417 9
1974 498 486 12
1973 451 451 0
1972 372 365 7
1971 312 306 6
1970 316 306 10
1969 274 274 0
1968 253 246 7
1967 271 265 6
1966 251 245 6
1965 285 279 6
1964 265 260 5
1963 287 279 8
1962 276 268 8
1961 349 340 9
1960 321 321 0
1959 326 321 5
1958 328 323 5
1957 345 339 6
1956 328 321 7
1955 347 339 8
1954 340 332 8
1953 298 291 7
1952 342 336 6
1951 328 328 0
1950 293 285 8
1949 317 311 6
1948 326 326 0
1947 324 312 12
1946 235 227 8
1945 269 263 6
1944 239 239 0
1943 265 265 0
1942 284 275 9
1941 253 253 0
1940 269 262 7
1939 276 269 7
1938 286 279 7
1937 285 279 6
1936 298 291 7
1935 298 292 6
1934 322 314 8
1933 325 315 10
1932 359 353 6
1931 369 362 7
1930 382 368 14
1929 380 373 7
1928 400 384 16
1927 402 390 12
1926 384 370 14
1925 403 389 14
1924 416 402 14
1923 412 395 17
1922 446 436 10
1921 460 449 11
1920 440 433 7
1919 425 415 10
1918 460 453 7
1917 397 387 10
1916 408 402 6
1915 379 372 7
1914 294 283 11
1913 277 277 0
1912 251 243 8
1911 144 138 6
1910 102 96 6
1909 103 98 5
1908 93 86 7
1907 106 106 0
1906 101 94 7
1905 91 86 5
1904 106 106 0
1903 97 92 5
1902 96 96 0
1901 76 76 0
1900 122 116 6
1899 75 70 5
1898 85 78 7
1897 91 91 0
1896 85 85 0
1895 91 86 5
1894 100 100 0
1893 81 81 0
1892 103 103 0
1891 75 75 0
1890 84 84 0
1889 77 77 0
1888 112 105 7
1887 79 79 0
1886 95 95 0
1885 96 96 0
1884 88 88 0
1883 92 92 0
1882 107 107 0
1881 80 80 0
1880 92 92 0

Top States for Cornelius (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 8
62%
GA 5
38%