Cornelius
Every Cornelius since 1880 — 37,049 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Cornelius
Cornelius is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #1,908 in 2025 with 82 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 37,049 American babies have been named Cornelius. Its peak came in 1974, when 498 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Cornelius stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Cornelius year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 82 | #1,908 |
| 2024 | — | — | 68 | #2,156 |
| 2023 | — | — | 83 | #1,898 |
| 2022 | — | — | 94 | #1,762 |
| 2021 | — | — | 86 | #1,816 |
| 2020 | — | — | 111 | #1,513 |
| 2019 | — | — | 107 | #1,565 |
| 2018 | — | — | 92 | #1,708 |
| 2017 | — | — | 106 | #1,545 |
| 2016 | — | — | 151 | #1,236 |
| 2015 | — | — | 154 | #1,200 |
| 2014 | — | — | 152 | #1,208 |
| 2013 | — | — | 151 | #1,187 |
| 2012 | — | — | 151 | #1,192 |
| 2011 | — | — | 154 | #1,161 |
| 2010 | — | — | 142 | #1,243 |
| 2009 | — | — | 166 | #1,112 |
| 2008 | — | — | 199 | #988 |
| 2007 | — | — | 200 | #981 |
| 2006 | — | — | 204 | #926 |
| 2005 | — | — | 175 | #987 |
| 2004 | — | — | 173 | #967 |
| 2003 | — | — | 222 | #789 |
| 2002 | — | — | 192 | #862 |
| 2001 | — | — | 185 | #868 |
| 2000 | — | — | 207 | #790 |
| 1995 | — | — | 261 | #642 |
| 1990 | 5 | #13,422 | 396 | #487 |
| 1985 | 7 | #8,532 | 378 | #439 |
| 1980 | 11 | #5,988 | 439 | #392 |
| 1975 | 9 | #6,067 | 417 | #379 |
| 1970 | 10 | #5,119 | 306 | #463 |
| 1965 | 6 | #5,934 | 279 | #468 |
| 1960 | — | — | 321 | #450 |
| 1955 | 8 | #4,450 | 339 | #393 |
| 1950 | 8 | #4,023 | 285 | #402 |
| 1945 | 6 | #4,122 | 263 | #369 |
| 1940 | 7 | #3,568 | 262 | #350 |
| 1935 | 6 | #3,836 | 292 | #316 |
| 1930 | 14 | #2,331 | 368 | #299 |
| 1925 | 14 | #2,513 | 389 | #291 |
| 1920 | 7 | #4,049 | 433 | #265 |
| 1915 | 7 | #3,505 | 372 | #248 |
| 1910 | 6 | #2,202 | 96 | #244 |
| 1905 | 5 | #2,002 | 86 | #202 |
| 1900 | 6 | #1,770 | 116 | #183 |
| 1895 | 5 | #1,648 | 86 | #184 |
| 1890 | — | — | 84 | #167 |
| 1885 | — | — | 96 | #142 |
| 1880 | — | — | 92 | #147 |
Famous people named Cornelius
- Cornelius Nepos Writer · -100–-25
- Cornelius Jansen Physician · 1585–1638
- Cornelius the Centurion Religious figure · 100–100
- Cornelius Castoriadis Economist · 1922–1997
- Cornelius Vanderbilt Businessperson · 1794–1877
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Cornelius in 2025?
Cornelius ranked #1,908 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 82 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Cornelius?
37,049 babies have been named Cornelius in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Cornelius most popular?
Cornelius peaked in 1974, when 498 newborns received the name.
Is Cornelius a boy or girl name?
Cornelius is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 98% of babies with the name.
Is the name Cornelius rising or falling?
Cornelius is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Cornelius?
Well-known people named Cornelius include Cornelius Nepos (writer), Cornelius Jansen (physician), Cornelius the Centurion (religious figure).