Holding steady.
Popularity of Cornel since 1919
Babies named Cornel per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 36 |
| 1930s | 46 |
| 1940s | 198 |
| 1950s | 263 |
| 1960s | 193 |
| 1970s | 138 |
| 1980s | 103 |
| 1990s | 90 |
| 2000s | 68 |
| 2010s | 23 |
| 2020s | 11 |
Meaning & origin
Cornel is a given name with Latin roots, derived from the Roman family name Cornelius, meaning 'horn'. It has been used in the United States since at least 1919, when it was first recorded, but has never reached the top 1000. Its peak year was 1947, and since then it has maintained a stable but very low frequency. While no top states are recorded for the name, it reflects a pattern of using short forms of classical names, similar to other names popular in the mid-20th century.
Cornel is a short form of the Roman family name Cornelius, which is derived from the Latin word 'cornu' meaning 'horn'. The name was borne by several early saints, including Pope Cornelius who served in the 3rd century. In modern times, it gained some popularity in the United States in the early 20th century, often used as a given name in its own right.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Corny, Nel
Sibling names for Cornel
Names that share Cornel's style, for a brother or sister.
