Cornell is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It was created by Samuel Clemens, who is better known by his pen name Mark Twain, for his grandson Oscar's twin brother in 1879. The name Cornell means "horn hill" or "fortress on the horn," which can be interpreted as being strong-willed and steadfast.
The name gained popularity in the United States during the early to mid-20th century but has since become less common, making it a rare find today. Despite its rarity, the name Cornell is still used occasionally, especially among families who wish to honor Twain's legacy or those drawn to its unique sound and meaning.
Cornell University, located in Ithaca, New York, was founded in 1865 and is named after its benefactor, Ezra Cornell. While not directly related to the given name, it is worth noting that the university shares the same origin story as the name itself, having been established by Ezra Cornell with the assistance of Andrew Dickson White.
In summary, Cornell is a distinctively American name with a rich history rooted in literature and education. Its meaning evokes strength and resilience, making it an appealing choice for parents looking for a unique name with a meaningful origin story.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Cornell experienced a significant increase in popularity from around 1946 onwards, peaking between 1952 and 1962 with over 200 births per year during those years. The highest number of births recorded was in 1962 with 241 births. However, since the late 1960s, there has been a consistent decline in the popularity of the name Cornell, with fewer than 50 births per year after 2008. The most recent data from 2023 shows only 21 births. In total, over the span of these statistics (1890-2023), there were 11,310 recorded births with the name Cornell.