Cornell Boy

Popularity: #924 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: kor-NEL //kɔːrˈnɛl//

Origin: Latin; English

Meaning: Latin: horn; English: dweller by the horn

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Cornell has its roots in the Latin name "Cornelius," which is derived from the Latin word "cornu," meaning "horn." The name Cornelius is believed to have originated in ancient Rome and was borne by a prominent Roman family. It was later adopted into early Christian tradition, with Saint Cornelius serving as a pope in the 3rd century, which contributed to the name's spread throughout Europe.

The transition from Cornelius to Cornell likely occurred through the influence of various languages, including Old French, which often modified Latin names as they were adopted into vernacular use. The name Cornell entered the English language during the medieval period, particularly as surnames became more common in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Historically, the name Cornell has been associated with notable figures and institutions. One significant milestone is the establishment of Cornell University in 1865, named after its founder, Ezra Cornell.

This institution has played a vital role in higher education in the United States and has contributed to the name's recognition in academic and cultural contexts. Additionally, the name has been linked to various historical figures, including military leaders and politicians, who have carried the name through the centuries, thereby embedding it within the historical narrative of Western culture.

Culturally, the name Cornell evokes associations with strength and leadership, stemming from its etymological roots related to the concept of a horn, which has historically symbolized power and authority. The name has also been used in various literary and artistic contexts, further enriching its cultural significance.

While diminutive forms like Corny may exist, they are less commonly referenced in historical texts. Overall, the name Cornell carries a legacy that intertwines linguistic evolution, historical milestones, and cultural resonance.

Famous people named Cornell

In this section, you will find notable people named Cornell. 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 Cornell who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Cornell 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.

Cornell West is a philosopher and political activist best known for Race Matters, Democracy Matters, and his work in the public intellectual sphere.

Cornell Woolrich is an author best known for Rear Window, The Bride Wore Black, and Phantom Lady.

Sibling suggestions

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

CarterDarnellJarnellArnoldGarnell

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Cornell. 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.

CornelKendallDarnellRonaldArnoldMerrillCarrollGordon

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Cornell was first seen in the United States in 1890.

Cornell has ranked as high as #1122 nationally, which occurred in 1962, and has been most popular in Illinois, Louisiana, California, New York, and Michigan.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Cornell 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 Cornell 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 Cornell.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 14 14 0
2024 23 23 0
2023 21 21 0
2022 35 35 0
2021 21 21 0
2020 36 36 0
2019 45 45 0
2018 37 37 0
2017 52 52 0
2016 41 41 0
2015 47 47 0
2014 46 46 0
2013 56 56 0
2012 71 71 0
2011 56 56 0
2010 78 78 0
2009 88 88 0
2008 89 89 0
2007 86 86 0
2006 81 81 0
2005 71 71 0
2004 72 72 0
2003 85 85 0
2002 67 67 0
2001 60 60 0
2000 69 69 0
1999 64 64 0
1998 85 85 0
1997 77 77 0
1996 117 117 0
1995 78 78 0
1994 96 96 0
1993 113 113 0
1992 89 89 0
1991 113 113 0
1990 117 117 0
1989 141 141 0
1988 141 141 0
1987 144 144 0
1986 147 147 0
1985 135 135 0
1984 112 112 0
1983 127 127 0
1982 118 118 0
1981 121 121 0
1980 140 140 0
1979 135 135 0
1978 131 131 0
1977 155 155 0
1976 134 134 0
1975 137 137 0
1974 156 156 0
1973 155 150 5
1972 147 147 0
1971 181 175 6
1970 194 194 0
1969 173 173 0
1968 174 169 5
1967 173 173 0
1966 180 175 5
1965 163 163 0
1964 209 202 7
1963 172 165 7
1962 247 241 6
1961 176 168 8
1960 150 144 6
1959 200 194 6
1958 202 195 7
1957 234 226 8
1956 205 200 5
1955 225 218 7
1954 212 206 6
1953 214 209 5
1952 227 213 14
1951 191 191 0
1950 164 159 5
1949 186 179 7
1948 197 192 5
1947 166 158 8
1946 130 130 0
1945 79 72 7
1944 74 65 9
1943 55 50 5
1942 71 62 9
1941 45 45 0
1940 56 51 5
1939 52 52 0
1938 62 57 5
1937 58 52 6
1936 55 48 7
1935 55 47 8
1934 53 53 0
1933 67 60 7
1932 59 51 8
1931 67 57 10
1930 45 45 0
1929 40 40 0
1928 53 45 8
1927 61 52 9
1926 53 44 9
1925 57 48 9
1924 48 39 9
1923 57 50 7
1922 63 50 13
1921 53 43 10
1920 38 32 6
1919 64 54 10
1918 46 36 10
1917 56 48 8
1916 41 36 5
1915 44 33 11
1914 30 30 0
1913 24 24 0
1912 23 23 0
1911 12 12 0
1910 14 14 0
1909 10 10 0
1908 9 9 0
1907 7 7 0
1905 6 6 0
1902 5 5 0
1896 5 5 0
1890 6 6 0

Top States for Cornell (2020)

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
FL 5
100%