A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Cornelia since 1880
Babies named Cornelia per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Cornelia's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 1,020 |
| 1890s | 1,332 |
| 1900s | 1,630 |
| 1910s | 3,455 |
| 1920s | 3,951 |
| 1930s | 2,731 |
| 1940s | 2,509 |
| 1950s | 1,813 |
| 1960s | 1,310 |
| 1970s | 700 |
| 1980s | 526 |
| 1990s | 320 |
| 2000s | 228 |
| 2010s | 293 |
| 2020s | 258 |
Meaning & origin
Cornelia reached its peak popularity in 1880, its first recorded year, when it ranked 3,130. Today, with about 1 in 31,515 newborns receiving the name, it remains rare but has been on a rising trajectory since 2005. The name has historically been most common in New York. Despite its low modern frequency, Cornelia carries a strong revival potential, appealing to parents seeking a name with ancient Roman gravitas and a soft, feminine sound.
Cornelia is the feminine form of the Roman family name Cornelius. The name was borne by the mother of the Gracchi, a paragon of Roman womanhood. It has been in use in the English-speaking world since the 16th century, often associated with the virtuous Roman matron.
Where Cornelia is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Cornelia” around the world
Where Cornelia lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cora, Nellie, Nell, Corny
Variants: Cornélie, Kornelia
Sibling names for Cornelia
Names that share Cornelia's style, for a brother or sister.
