Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Cornelius

Cornelius

♂ Boy

Pronounced kawr-NEEL-ee-uhs /kɔɹ.ˈnil.i.əs/Medium

Meaning: HornMedium

In 30 seconds: Cornelius is an Ancient Roman boy's name meaning 'horn', from the noted Roman family name Cornelius.
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumAncient Roman [1], English, Dutch
MeaningHorn
U.S. rank (2025)#1908 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births82 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1974
Total births (all-time)≈ 36,406

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197418802025

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

The name comes from a major Roman family name, the gens Cornelia, and is traced to a Latin word for horn. As a Roman name it later spread through Europe and into Christian use, helped by an early saint who bore it. The horn meaning gives it an old, sturdy resonance.

Bearers include American magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, who built his fortune in railroads and shipping, and Irish-American author Cornelius Ryan of 'The Longest Day'. Its variations range from the Dutch Cornelis to the short forms Cai and Kai.

Did you know? Cornelius appears in the Old Testament, which helped preserve it across centuries of Jewish and Christian naming traditions.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Cornelius — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

CornelisKerneelsCaiKaiKaj

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

  • ★Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794–1877)
    American business magnate who built wealth in railroads and shipping.
  • ★Cornelius Ryan (1920–1974)
    Irish-American journalist and author of 'The Longest Day'.

If you like Cornelius…

Kai— A short form of Cornelius noted in its variations.
Octavius— shares the -us ending
Tiberius— shares the -us ending
Angus— a fellow English choice
Kassius— another English name

Explore names like Cornelius

By themeenglishbiblicalnature

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Cornelius mean?

Cornelius is usually explained as meaning 'horn' and is most often linked with Ancient Roman [1] tradition.

How do you pronounce Cornelius?

It's commonly said kawr-NEEL-ee-uhs /kɔɹ.ˈnil.i.əs/.

Is Cornelius a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Cornelius is used as a boy name.

How popular is Cornelius?

In 2024, Cornelius ranked #2150 in the U.S. for boys, with 68 births recorded.

💬 Ask Nia