Cornelius

boyLatinChristian

Cornelius is a Christian boy name of Latin origin, meaning “From the Roman Cornelius family; horn (debated)”.

MeaningFrom the Roman Cornelius family; horn (debated)
GenderBoy
OriginLatin
Pronunciationkor-NEE-lee-us
TraditionChristian
Used inNetherlands, Germany, United States, Ireland

Meaning and origin of Cornelius

Cornelius was the name of an ancient Roman family, the gens Cornelia, which produced figures such as Scipio Africanus. Its meaning is uncertain; it is often linked to the Latin cornu, horn. In the New Testament, Cornelius is the Roman centurion in Acts 10 whose household Peter baptises, usually counted as the first Gentile convert. A third-century pope also bore the name.

Is Cornelius a Christian name?

Cornelius is a biblical name: the centurion Cornelius appears in Acts 10. It has been popular among Dutch and Irish Christians.

How popular is Cornelius?

Uncommon today, though the Dutch form Cornelis and nicknames like Kees are familiar in the Netherlands.

Gifts with the name Cornelius

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Spellings and variants of Cornelius

CornelisKorneliusCornelNeil

Names similar to Cornelius

More Christian boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Cornelius mean?

Cornelius means 'From the Roman Cornelius family; horn (debated)'. It is of Latin origin.

Is Cornelius a Christian name?

Cornelius is a biblical name: the centurion Cornelius appears in Acts 10. It has been popular among Dutch and Irish Christians.

How do you pronounce Cornelius?

Cornelius is pronounced kor-NEE-lee-us.

Is Cornelius a boy or girl name?

Cornelius is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.