Given name & surname
Cornell
“refers to a horn”
Cornell is a vernacular form of Cornelius. One Latin interpretation is “refers to a horn.” Its derivation is not certain.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Cornell is a vernacular form of Cornelius. One Latin interpretation is “refers to a horn.” Its derivation is not certain.
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Cornell is a vernacular form of Cornelius. A possible origin is Latin, although the derivation remains uncertain.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
Cornell is used as a form of Cornelius.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1890. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Cornell through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 11,695
- 11,347 boys · 348 girls
- Most popular year
- 1962
- 247 babies
- 2025
- 14
- #6,194 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −46%
- Cooling
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 100% boys.
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 14 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 6,194 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 46.0% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 241 in 1962. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 6,794 as a first name in 2020; 19,884 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Cornell’s family of names
Cornell has a related form in Cornelius. Cornell is a vernacular form of Cornelius.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 2
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
People named Cornell
- NellyAmerican rapper, singer and actorborn 1974
- Cornell BorchersGerman actress (1925-2014)
- Cornell GlenTrinidad and Tobago footballerborn 1980
- Cornell CapaAmerican photographer (1918–2008)
- Cornell DupreeAmerican R&B/soul jazz guitarist (1942–2011)
- Cornell MacNeilAmerican opera singer (1922-2011)
- Cornell William BrooksAmerican activist and lawyerborn 1961
- Cornell GunterAmerican singer (1936–1990)
- Cornell CampbellJamaican musicianborn 1945
Characters named Cornell: Cottonmouth (comics character).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Cornell, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Darrel
“one who is dearly loved”
>99% boys
Cary
“from the river” · “from the fort on the hill”
95% boys · 5% girls
Karl
“a free man”
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Donnell
“ruler of the world; a brown-haired warrior”
>99% boys
Kirk
“a man of the church”
>99% boys
Ken
“born of fire” · “handsome, fair one”
>99% boys
Joell
“Jehovah is God; God is willing”
>99% boys
Darrell
“one who is dearly loved” · “one who is greatly loved”
>99% boys