A Latin name gently fading from the charts.
A male given name from Latin.
Cornelius is a boy's and girl's baby name of Latin origin, from the ancient Roman family name Corneille, possibly related to cornu meaning 'horn.' The Cornelii were one of the most powerful patrician families of the Roman Republic, and Saint Cornelius served as Pope in the 3rd century.
With over 36,000 recorded U.S. births, Cornelius has a grand, patrician gravitas. The nickname Neil or Corny gives it flexibility for everyday use.
Cornelius was #966 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #2150, but its charm endures.
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 442 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 1,360 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 1,923 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 2,891 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 4,080 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 3,975 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 2,775 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 3,216 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 2,733 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 3,122 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 4,021 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 3,066 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 956 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 853 | — |
| 1880s | 911 | — |
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 68 | #2150 |
| 2023 | 83 | #1898 |
| 2022 | 94 | #1761 |
| 2021 | 86 | #1816 |
| 2020 | 111 | #1513 |
| 2019 | 107 | #1565 |
| 2018 | 92 | #1706 |
| 2017 | 106 | #1545 |
| 2016 | 151 | #1236 |
| 2015 | 154 | #1200 |
| 2014 | 152 | #1208 |
| 2013 | 151 | #1186 |
| 2012 | 151 | #1192 |
| 2011 | 154 | #1159 |
| 2010 | 142 | #1243 |
| 2009 | 166 | #1112 |
| 2008 | 199 | #988 |
| 2007 | 200 | #981 |
| 2006 | 204 | #926 |
| 2005 | 175 | #987 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Cornelius has also been given to 642 girls in the U.S. since 1888.
Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology