Cornelius
Cornelius is a boys' name of Latin origin meaning “horn, strong.” Cornelius derives from the Latin 'cornu' meaning horn, symbolizing strength and power.
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how do you pronounce Cornelius?
kor-NEEL-yus
where does the name Cornelius come from?
An originally Roman masculine name of uncertain derivation, possibly from the Latin cornu, horn.
The Cornelii were one of Rome's greatest patrician families. Cornelius Vanderbilt built one of America's largest fortunes. The name has an imposing grandeur softened by the friendly nickname Corny or Neil, bridging ancient Rome and American ambition.
how popular is this name?
Cornelius has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 129 years since 1880. It peaked at #130 in 1882, and ranked #987 in 2008.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2008 | #987 |
| 2007 | #981 |
| 2006 | #926 |
| 2005 | #987 |
| 2004 | #967 |
| 2003 | #789 |
| 2002 | #862 |
| 2001 | #867 |
| 2000 | #789 |
| 1999 | #715 |
| 1990 | #486 |
| 1980 | #392 |
| 1970 | #463 |
| 1960 | #450 |
| 1950 | #402 |
| 1940 | #350 |
| 1930 | #299 |
| 1920 | #263 |
| 1910 | #244 |
| 1900 | #182 |
| 1890 | #167 |
| 1882 | #130 |
| 1880 | #147 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Cornelius fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Cornelius
In Ireland, Cornelius was historically used as an anglicization of the Irish name Connor.
what are the nicknames and variants of Cornelius?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
who are famous people named Cornelius?
- Cornelius Vanderbilt (American business magnate and philanthropist)
- Cornelius (character from Planet of the Apes)
what names are similar to Cornelius?
what names go well with Cornelius?
Sibling names that share Cornelius's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Cornelius
What does the name Cornelius mean?
Cornelius means “horn, strong”.
What is the origin of the name Cornelius?
Cornelius comes from the Latin naming tradition. Related forms include Cornelis, Cornel and Cornelio.
How popular is the name Cornelius?
Cornelius ranked #987 in the US in 2008, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1882, at #130, and it has spent 129 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Cornelius a boy or girl name?
Cornelius is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Cornelius?
Cornelius is pronounced kor-NEEL-yus, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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