Declining since 1990, #6,446 for boys today.
Popularity of Cornelio since 1911
Babies named Cornelio per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1989, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Cornelio's real moment was 1911.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 30 |
| 1920s | 118 |
| 1930s | 121 |
| 1940s | 137 |
| 1950s | 125 |
| 1960s | 111 |
| 1970s | 212 |
| 1980s | 183 |
| 1990s | 219 |
| 2000s | 171 |
| 2010s | 117 |
| 2020s | 56 |
Meaning & origin
Cornelio, the Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese form of the ancient Roman name Cornelius, has a long but relatively uncommon presence in the United States. First recorded in 1911, the name reached its peak popularity in that same year, with a ranking of 6,446th overall. Since 1990, its usage has been declining, reflected in its current trajectory. In 2025, it was given to roughly 1 in 131,390 boys. The name has strong historical roots, tied to early Christian saints and the Roman patrician family, the Cornelii. While never widely adopted in the U.S., it has maintained a consistent, if small, presence among families valuing Latin heritage or traditional Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese naming customs. Despite no single state accounting for a significant portion of its bearers, Cornelio remains a distinctive choice, offering a connection to ancient Roman culture.
Cornelio is the Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese form of the Latin name Cornelius. Cornelius was a prominent Roman family name, possibly derived from the Latin word 'cornu' (horn) or the Sabine word 'corum' meaning 'spear'. The name was borne by several early Christian saints, including Pope Cornelius, and has been used across Europe for centuries.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Coco, Nelo, Cor
Sibling names for Cornelio
Names that share Cornelio's style, for a brother or sister.
