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.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Cornelius in the United States, we can observe a significant shift in popularity over time.
From 1880 to around 1920, there was a steady increase in the number of births where Cornelius was chosen as the first name. The highest point during this period was reached in 1921 with 449 births. However, from 1923 onwards, we start seeing a consistent decrease in its popularity.
From 1923 to approximately 1970, the number of annual births named Cornelius remained relatively stable, fluctuating between around 250 and 350 births per year. There were slight increases during certain periods, such as from 1969 to 1972, where the numbers rose from 274 to 451 births.
However, after 1972, Cornelius' popularity began a significant decline. By 1993, the number of annual births with the name Cornelius dropped below 300 for the first time since the early 1920s. This downward trend continued throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Cornelius has remained quite low but stable. Since 2015, there have been between 83 and 154 births per year with the name Cornelius in the United States. Despite its reduced popularity compared to previous decades, it is still a name chosen for some newborns each year.
In total, from 1880 to 2023, there were 36,254 births where Cornelius was given as the first name in the United States. These statistics demonstrate how the popularity of a name can change over time and across generations.