Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Cornelius
BoyLatin· “uncertain; possibly 'horn'”
- Meaning
- uncertain; possibly 'horn' (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- kor-NEEL-yus
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,908
- US babies 2025
- 82
- Best rank
- #130 (1882)
- Peak year
- 1974
Meaning and origin of Cornelius
Cornelius is often said to mean “uncertain; possibly 'horn'”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Latin roots.
Cornelius comes from the Roman family name Cornelia, one of the great patrician clans of ancient Rome. Its origin is uncertain; it is often linked to the Latin cornu, 'horn', but this is not proven. In the New Testament Cornelius is a centurion described as one of the first gentile converts to Christianity, and the name was later carried by saints and a pope. Businessman Cornelius Vanderbilt gave it American prominence. Neil, Con and Corey are nicknames.
Popularity over time
Cornelius has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 129 different years. Its best national rank was #130 in 1882, and the most babies received it in 1974, when 486 were named Cornelius. In 2025, 82 babies were named Cornelius, and it ranked #1,908 nationally. That is 47% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #265 in 1920, #402 in 1950, #392 in 1980, #790 in 2000, #1,243 in 2010, and #1,908 in 2025. Of the 36,407 US boys named Cornelius since records began, 11% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1920s come next, with 4,021 babies. Since 2010, 1,884 more have been named Cornelius.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Demond, Telly, Chadwick, Tremayne, and Benji.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Cornelius ranked highest in Michigan, Texas, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | #926 | 7 |
| Texas | #1677 | 10 |
| California | #2029 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Cornelius is usually pronounced kor-NEEL-yus, with three syllables. It has nine letters, starts with C and ends in “-us”.
Middle names for Cornelius
A few middle names that flow with Cornelius: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Cornelius
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Lists that include Cornelius
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cornelius mean?
Cornelius is often said to mean “uncertain; possibly 'horn'”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Latin roots.
What is the origin of the name Cornelius?
Cornelius has Latin roots. Cornelius comes from the Roman family name Cornelia, one of the great patrician clans of ancient Rome.
Is Cornelius a popular name?
Not especially. Cornelius ranked #1,908 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Cornelius a boy or girl name?
Cornelius is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Cornelius?
Cornelius is usually pronounced kor-NEEL-yus. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings