Cornelius is a Latin-derived masculine given name, which means "horn". It was a popular name in ancient Rome for those born with a horn-like growth on their head or body. The name has also been used as a reference to the horn of plenty, symbolizing abundance and prosperity. Cornelius is often shortened to Cory or Neal. Some notable figures bearing this name include Saint Cornelius, a 3rd-century pope who is venerated by both Catholics and Orthodox Christians; and Cornelius Vanderbilt, an American industrialist known for building the New York Central Railroad. The name has also been used in literature, most famously as the last name of the title character in J.D. Salinger's classic novel "The Catcher in the Rye".
The name Corneluis experienced fluctuations in popularity throughout the century, with a notable peak in the 1920s and early 1930s.