Cornelius is a strong, distinctive male given name of Latin origin, derived from the Roman clan name 'Cornelius'. The name means 'horn' or 'of the horns', referring to the crescent moon shape of the horned alter used by the ancient Etruscan and later Roman Cornelia gens. In Christian tradition, Cornelius is often associated with Saint Cornelius, a 3rd-century pope who served during the reign of Emperor Philip the Arab. The name has been borne by several notable figures throughout history, including two popes and a U.S. president.
Cornealius was quite popular in 1916 with five births that year, making its total birth count up to five.