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Cornelius

Boy name · 24 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Cornelius: 24 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 7 births in 1974.

Of Latin origin, Cornelius was an ancient Roman clan name possibly derived from the Latin word *cornu*, meaning "horn"—a symbol of strength and power. The most famous bearer is Cornelius Tacitus, the great Roman historian whose works chronicled the early Roman Empire. In the Bible, Cornelius was a Roman centurion considered the first Gentile convert to Christianity. The name features in the American classic *It's a Wonderful Life*, where the character George Bailey's middle name is Cornelius. While never hugely popular in Scotland, it has been used steadily since the 1970s, with a notable peak around the 1990s. A well-known variant is the Irish and Scottish form *Cornelius*, which is sometimes shortened to *Con* or *Neil*.