Cornelia
A female given name from Latin in quiet use since the 18th century.
Every Cornelia since 1880 — 22,102 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Cornelia
Cornelia is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #3,138 in 2025 with 51 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 22,102 American babies have been named Cornelia. Its peak came in 1921, when 477 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
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 Cornelia stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Cornelia year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 51 | #3,138 | — | — |
| 2024 | 39 | #3,838 | — | — |
| 2023 | 53 | #3,107 | — | — |
| 2022 | 37 | #3,985 | — | — |
| 2021 | 43 | #3,562 | — | — |
| 2020 | 35 | #4,027 | — | — |
| 2019 | 43 | #3,564 | — | — |
| 2018 | 32 | #4,374 | — | — |
| 2017 | 32 | #4,414 | — | — |
| 2016 | 36 | #4,107 | — | — |
| 2015 | 28 | #4,883 | — | — |
| 2014 | 25 | #5,347 | — | — |
| 2013 | 37 | #4,021 | — | — |
| 2012 | 18 | #6,934 | — | — |
| 2011 | 18 | #6,924 | — | — |
| 2010 | 24 | #5,653 | — | — |
| 2009 | 21 | #6,366 | — | — |
| 2008 | 31 | #4,787 | — | — |
| 2007 | 16 | #7,816 | — | — |
| 2006 | 23 | #5,761 | — | — |
| 2005 | 23 | #5,482 | — | — |
| 2004 | 15 | #7,481 | — | — |
| 2003 | 25 | #4,974 | — | — |
| 2002 | 25 | #4,798 | — | — |
| 2001 | 23 | #5,049 | — | — |
| 2000 | 26 | #4,556 | — | — |
| 1995 | 33 | #3,372 | — | — |
| 1990 | 36 | #3,090 | — | — |
| 1985 | 45 | #2,261 | — | — |
| 1980 | 52 | #2,021 | — | — |
| 1975 | 56 | #1,690 | — | — |
| 1970 | 86 | #1,272 | — | — |
| 1965 | 117 | #945 | — | — |
| 1960 | 169 | #786 | — | — |
| 1955 | 175 | #714 | — | — |
| 1950 | 205 | #588 | — | — |
| 1945 | 241 | #460 | — | — |
| 1940 | 251 | #429 | — | — |
| 1935 | 264 | #398 | — | — |
| 1930 | 331 | #371 | — | — |
| 1925 | 397 | #336 | 8 | #3,199 |
| 1920 | 453 | #307 | — | — |
| 1915 | 394 | #291 | — | — |
| 1910 | 202 | #273 | — | — |
| 1905 | 165 | #252 | — | — |
| 1900 | 200 | #224 | — | — |
| 1895 | 127 | #244 | — | — |
| 1890 | 123 | #218 | — | — |
| 1885 | 98 | #190 | — | — |
| 1880 | 94 | #147 | — | — |
Famous people named Cornelia
- Cornelia, mother of the Gracchi Writer · -189–-110
- Cornelia Companion · -97–-69
- Cornelia Salonina Politician · 300–268
- Cornelia Funke Writer · b. 1958
- Cornelia Supera Companion · b. 200
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cornelia mean?
A female given name from Latin in quiet use since the 18th century.
How popular is the name Cornelia in 2025?
Cornelia ranked #3,138 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 51 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Cornelia?
22,102 babies have been named Cornelia in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Cornelia most popular?
Cornelia peaked in 1921, when 477 newborns received the name.
Is Cornelia a boy or girl name?
Cornelia is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Cornelia rising or falling?
Cornelia is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Cornelia?
Well-known people named Cornelia include Cornelia, mother of the Gracchi (writer), Cornelia (companion), Cornelia Salonina (politician).