Entry № 0185 · Latin origin

Cornelia Cornelia — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ kor-NEEL-yah /

Gender

Girl

Origin

Latin

Meaning

"Horn, of the Cornelius family"

Syllables

Rank · US 2025

№ 0

First recorded

Ancient (Latin)

The meaning

A name that means "horn, of the cornelius family".

Cornelia comes from the Roman family name Cornelius — possibly from cornu, meaning "horn." The Roman matron Cornelia Africana (c. 190-100 BCE), mother of the Gracchi reformers, was idealized as the model of Roman virtue.

Cornelia is widely used in Germany and Eastern Europe.

The Roman matron. Mother of the Gracchi.

Popularity

Where Cornelia stands.

Current rank · 2025

№ 0 in the U.S.

All-time peak

№ 432 in 1881

Babies named Cornelia · last year

142 in the U.S.

First entered SSA top-1000

1880

Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular

Namesakes

Cornelias before her.

Real people

Cornelia Africana

Roman matron, mother of the Gracchi.

c. 190 – 100 BCE

In fiction

Cornelia

Common in Latin and Renaissance literature.

Names connected to Cornelia.

Numerology

The number behind Cornelia.

The Seeker

Cornelia reduces to seven — the number of Roman virtue.

Parents on Cornelia

Why families chose this name.

"Mother of the Gracchi. Four syllables of Roman virtue."

Sofia · Mother of one · Rome