Cornell
From Cornwall, spelling conflated with the Latin family name Cornelius.
Every Cornell since 1890 — 11,695 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Cornell
Cornell is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #6,194 in 2025 with 14 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1890, 11,695 American babies have been named Cornell. Its peak came in 1962, when 247 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
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 Cornell stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Cornell 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 | — | — | 14 | #6,194 |
| 2024 | — | — | 23 | #4,461 |
| 2023 | — | — | 21 | #4,773 |
| 2022 | — | — | 35 | #3,348 |
| 2021 | — | — | 21 | #4,661 |
| 2020 | — | — | 36 | #3,147 |
| 2019 | — | — | 45 | #2,773 |
| 2018 | — | — | 37 | #3,116 |
| 2017 | — | — | 52 | #2,459 |
| 2016 | — | — | 41 | #2,894 |
| 2015 | — | — | 47 | #2,610 |
| 2014 | — | — | 46 | #2,632 |
| 2013 | — | — | 56 | #2,287 |
| 2012 | — | — | 71 | #1,988 |
| 2011 | — | — | 56 | #2,290 |
| 2010 | — | — | 78 | #1,854 |
| 2009 | — | — | 88 | #1,744 |
| 2008 | — | — | 89 | #1,713 |
| 2007 | — | — | 86 | #1,730 |
| 2006 | — | — | 81 | #1,727 |
| 2005 | — | — | 71 | #1,818 |
| 2004 | — | — | 72 | #1,750 |
| 2003 | — | — | 85 | #1,516 |
| 2002 | — | — | 67 | #1,727 |
| 2001 | — | — | 60 | #1,844 |
| 2000 | — | — | 69 | #1,669 |
| 1995 | — | — | 78 | #1,328 |
| 1990 | — | — | 117 | #963 |
| 1985 | — | — | 135 | #762 |
| 1980 | — | — | 140 | #741 |
| 1975 | — | — | 137 | #708 |
| 1970 | — | — | 194 | #578 |
| 1965 | — | — | 163 | #595 |
| 1960 | 6 | #5,825 | 144 | #649 |
| 1955 | 7 | #4,822 | 218 | #501 |
| 1950 | 5 | #5,447 | 159 | #542 |
| 1945 | 7 | #3,735 | 72 | #720 |
| 1940 | 5 | #4,483 | 51 | #883 |
| 1935 | 8 | #3,209 | 47 | #923 |
| 1930 | — | — | 45 | #1,024 |
| 1925 | 9 | #3,421 | 48 | #985 |
| 1920 | 6 | #4,503 | 32 | #1,277 |
| 1915 | 11 | #2,570 | 33 | #1,128 |
| 1910 | — | — | 14 | #828 |
| 1905 | — | — | 6 | #1,127 |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | 6 | #914 |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Cornell
- Cornell Woolrich Writer · 1903–1968
- Cornell Capa Photographer · 1918–2008
- Cornell Borchers Actor · 1925–2014
- Cornell Glen Soccer player · b. 1980
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cornell mean?
From Cornwall, spelling conflated with the Latin family name Cornelius.
How popular is the name Cornell in 2025?
Cornell ranked #6,194 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 14 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Cornell?
11,695 babies have been named Cornell in the United States since 1890, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Cornell most popular?
Cornell peaked in 1962, when 247 newborns received the name.
Is Cornell a boy or girl name?
Cornell is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 97% of babies with the name.
Is the name Cornell rising or falling?
Cornell is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Cornell?
Well-known people named Cornell include Cornell Woolrich (writer), Cornell Capa (photographer), Cornell Borchers (actor).