How Many People Are Named Cornelius?
Complete statistics for the name Cornelius: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Cornelius is a Latin name rooted in the ancient Roman Cornel family, likely connected to the cornel tree or the word for horn. About 20,488 people named Cornelius are living in the US today, making it genuinely rare at 1 in 16,107 Americans. What's striking is just how much this name belongs to older generations, with the average bearer already in their 70s.
📖 Meaning & Origin
The number 8 in numerology traditionally represents ambition, authority, and the drive to build lasting success. People under the influence of 8 are seen as natural leaders with a strong sense of purpose and an ability to turn big goals into reality.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 70All 36,874 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1974Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Cornelius Through the Generations
Cornelius peaked back in 1974 with 498 births, and the numbers tell a clear story of long, steady decline since then. Of the estimated 20,488 living today, a striking 57% are over 60, meaning more than half of all Corneliuses in America grew up in the mid-20th century or earlier. Only 4,414 are under 30, compared to 21,006 over 60, so the generational gap is hard to ignore. The all-time US birth count of 36,874 also hints at significant losses over time, since many older bearers have passed on. The trend is firmly declining, with little sign of a revival. It sits in an interesting spot, neither purely classic nor modern, but it's clearly a name that resonates far more with older Americans than with parents choosing names today.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Cornelius's Latin roots
📄 About the Name Cornelius
How Many People Have the Name Cornelius?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 19,242 people in the United States currently share the name Cornelius. That works out to roughly 1 in every 17,225 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Cornelius a Common or Rare Name?
Cornelius is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Cornelius Mean?
Cornelius means "Horn or cornel tree family" and comes from Latin origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 8.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Cornelius in SSA data, approximately 99% are male and 1% are female.
When Was Cornelius Most Popular?
The name Cornelius reached peak popularity in 1974, with 498 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Cornelius?
Approximately 19,242 people named Cornelius live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 19,242. That works out to roughly 1 in 17,225 Americans.
Is Cornelius a rare name?
Cornelius is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 17,225 Americans has this name.
What does the name Cornelius mean?
Cornelius means "Horn or cornel tree family" and comes from Latin origins.
Is Cornelius more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 99% of people named Cornelius are male and 1% are female.
When was Cornelius most popular?
Cornelius peaked in 1974 with 498 births that year. Current trend: Declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.