Cornel: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Cornel

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1947

59 babies

All-time total

1,174

#4,649 all-time among boys

First recorded

1919

in Social Security records

Cornel popularity over time

1,174 babies have been named Cornel since 1919, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	5	1	–	#4,286
1920s	36	4	+620%	#3,474
1930s	46	5	+28%	#2,637
1940s	198	20	+330%	#907
1950s	263	26	+33%	#1,215
1960s	193	19	-27%	#1,580
1970s	138	14	-28%	#2,075
1980s	103	10	-25%	#3,095
1990s	90	9	-13%	#4,044
2000s	68	7	-24%	#5,737
2010s	23	2	-66%	#9,888
2020s (to 2025)	11	2	-20%	#11,209

The story of Cornel

Cornel is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1919, 1,174 American babies have been named Cornel. Its peak came in 1947, when 59 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1940s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Cornel stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Cornel?

The median living Cornel is about 57 years old; half are between 39 and 71. An estimated 900 people named Cornel are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Cornel year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–
2024	6	#11,209
2023	–	–
2022	–	–
2021	5	#12,507
2020	–	–
2019	–	–
2018	–	–
2017	–	–
2016	5	#12,575
2015	–	–
2014	–	–
2013	–	–
2012	6	#11,069
2011	5	#12,653
2010	7	#9,888
2009	7	#10,075
2008	–	–
2007	6	#11,187
2006	–	–
2005	7	#9,304
2004	10	#7,070
2003	6	#9,804
2002	9	#7,152
2001	12	#5,737
2000	11	#5,985
1995	9	#6,007
1990	10	#5,054
1985	13	#3,443
1980	9	#4,206
1975	10	#3,486
1970	19	#2,075
1965	17	#1,935
1960	25	#1,628
1955	28	#1,463
1950	30	#1,319
1945	6	#3,053
1940	–	–
1935	5	#3,765
1930	10	#2,637
1925	7	#3,474
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Famous people named Cornel

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Cornel West American philosopher, activist, and theologian (born 1953) Contemporary
2 Cornel Wilde Hungarian-American actor and film director (1912–1989) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Cornel, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Cornel?

The median living Cornel is about 57 years old. Half of all living Cornels are between 39 and 71 years old.

How many people named Cornel are alive today?

An estimated 900 people named Cornel are alive in the United States, based on 1,174 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Cornel mean?

Cornel is a given name and occasionally a nickname.

How popular is the name Cornel in 2025?

Cornel did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Cornel?

1,174 babies have been named Cornel in the United States since 1919, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Cornel most popular?

Cornel peaked in 1947, when 59 newborns received the name.

Is Cornel a boy or girl name?

Cornel is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Cornel rising or falling?

Cornel is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Cornel?

Well-known people named Cornel include Cornel West (philosopher), Cornel Wilde (actor).

Names like Cornel

Names that sound and feel close to Cornel: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Cornel with similar names → More names starting with C →