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Cornelia
Pronounced kor-NEE-lee-ah /kɔrˈni.li.ɑ/High
Meaning: Feminine of Cornelius — a great Roman clan name, likely from cornu, 'horn' — borne by Rome's exemplary mother of the GracchiMedium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Cornelia is the feminine of Cornelius — one of Rome's greatest patrician clan names, likely from cornu, 'horn'. Cornelia, mother of the Gracchi reformers, became the Roman ideal of maternal virtue; the name later graced European royalty and Gilded Age America.
In the U.S. it is a rare grand-vintage choice today. Horn-of-the-clan at the root, patrician, and revival-ripe.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Cornelia Funke (1958–present)German author of the Inkheart fantasy novels.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Cornelia mean?
Cornelia is the feminine of Cornelius, a Roman clan name likely from cornu, 'horn'.
How do you pronounce Cornelia?
It's said kor-NEE-lee-ah /kɔrˈni.li.ɑ/ — four syllables, stress on the second.
Is Cornelia a boy or girl name?
Cornelia is a girl's name.
How popular is Cornelia?
Cornelia is a rare vintage name in the U.S. today.