Cornelius

[CinnamonStar]

Doing some research for a friend. They are not British, but planning to move to the UK shortly after the baby is born.

She wants to know how British people view the name Cornelius, how popular it is. I told her it would probably be pretty unusual . I personally think it is a great name, (though I wouldn't use it myself) but I don't live in the UK either so a bit out of touch with popular trends there. Will everyone stagger back aghast if they hear her little baby boy is called Cornelius?

It is very unusual but not unheard of.

I know of one but he's in his 30's and goes by the nn of Con.

It's in HP (a rather ineffectual Minister of Magic), so it's a name people are unlikely to stagger from.

I think it's OK.

DH's uncle is Uncle Connie and he is actually Cornelius.

Then there is the singer man Cornelius but that definatly wasn't his real name.

Dont think people would be very aghast by it - depends where these people are though.

My first two reactions are it's a Japanese band/musician and the name of one of the apes in Planet of the Apes, but children probably won't pick up on either of those, it's ancient history to them. My OH has vetoed Donald, one of my favourite Scots names, because of Donald Duck and Donald Trump, so maybe some people are more sensitive about these things.

i love it!

haven't heard it for yonks, but it's a really nice name

Am I the only person who thinks Cornelius has white middle-class connotations? I would expect a Cornelius to be well-spoken and privately educated.

It used to be passed down in one branch of my family. My Gran had a cousin named Cornelius, but he was always called Neil.

I love it - classic, elegant and not overused. Works well in most European languages too. Great choice imo!

But surely having 'well spoken, well educated' associations is a good thing ?

Cornelius is great, OP, a bit of a mouthful but very nice.

Definitely a statement name, though. Is that what they want?

Lovely name - I know a lovely German one.

It's utterly hideous.

Cornelius is a lovely name - I haven't heard it for while but it is a great choice imo.

Babar.

Bloody awful

I know 2 both in their late 30s & both go by the name Neil. Virtually family
( though unrelated to each other), that's the only reason I know they're actually called Cornelius, otherwise just plain old Neil to everyone else.

I love it. It was v high up our list for boys, but we're having a girl so it will have to wait! Apparently it is shortened to Kees in some places, which I thought was adorable, and would probably have been the nickname we would have gone with.

I like it! It has something eccentric and historic about it. Lots of nickname possibilities too.

Immediate associations are a vague notion it's German, Babar's uncle and image of old scientist / collector type person. Quite interesting, can be shortened. Have heard of a Cornelia. If they like it, why not.

Reminds me of my 1st Latin textbook as one of the 1st characters was Cornelius...I, therefore see it as a strong Roman name...definitely unusual but brings back good memories for me as ended up doing a degree in Latin!

Elegant, classic, strong name.

Thanks, lots of replies.

Quite a positive response, so I think they'll be pleased. They want a name that means something to them but is "international" enough that their child won't get laughed at etc, and that people will have heard of.

It's quite an 'Irishy' name and usually shortened to Conn / Con in Ireland. I like it.