Cornelius is a name of Latin origin that has been used throughout history. It is derived from the Roman family name Cornelia, which means "from the horn" or "strong." This name was popular among ancient Romans and was often associated with high-ranking individuals.
The name Cornelius first appears in the New Testament of the Bible, where it is given to a Roman centurion who is considered by some to be the first Gentile convert to Christianity. This association has contributed to the popularity of the name throughout Christian history.
Throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods, the name Cornelius continued to be used in Europe, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands. It was also popular among royal families during this time, with several kings and nobles bearing the name.
In modern times, Cornelius remains a popular name for boys in many countries around the world. It has been consistently ranked among the top 1000 names for boys in the United States since the 1950s. While it is still most commonly used as a boy's name, there have been some notable women who have also borne this name throughout history.
Overall, Cornelius is a strong and enduring name with a rich history and meaningful origin. It has been worn by many notable individuals throughout time and continues to be a popular choice for parents today.
The name Cornelius experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a notable decline in recent decades. Between 1880 and 1957, there were periods of consistent high numbers of births, reaching peaks such as 453 in 1918 and 454 in 1981. However, from around 1962 onwards, the popularity of the name began to wane, with fewer than 300 births recorded annually between 1971 and 1991.
The turn of the century saw a further decrease in the number of babies named Cornelius, with less than 200 births per year from 2000 onwards. The lowest point was reached in 2018, with only 92 births recorded. Despite a brief uptick to 110 births in 2020, the trend has continued downward, with just 83 births in 2023.
In total, over the period from 1880 to 2023, there were 36,254 recorded births for the name Cornelius.