Cornelis – Name Meaning
The name Cornelis is of Dutch origin and is derived from the Latin name Cornelius. It is a masculine given name that has been popular in the Netherlands since the Middle Ages. The meaning of the name Cornelis is “horn” or “cornet”, which is a reference to its Latin roots. The name has also been used as a surname in some parts of Europe.
History and Origin
The name Cornelis was first recorded in the Netherlands during the Middle Ages. It was derived from the Latin name Cornelius, which was originally derived from the Roman family name Cornelia. The meaning of the name Cornelius is “horn” or “cornet”, which is a reference to its Latin roots. The name was popularized by Saint Cornelius, who was a Roman centurion and one of the first converts to Christianity.
The popularity of the name spread throughout Europe during the Middle Ages and it became especially popular in Holland. In Dutch, the spelling of the name changed slightly to become Cornelis. This spelling has remained popular in Holland ever since.
Popularity
The name Cornelis has been consistently popular in Holland for centuries. It remains one of the most common names in Holland today, ranking at number 32 on the list of most popular names for boys born in 2019. The popularity of this name has also spread to other countries such as Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland.
Famous People Named Cornelis
There have been many famous people with the name Cornelis throughout history. Some notable examples include:
- Cornelis de Houtman (1565-1599), Dutch explorer who led an expedition to Indonesia.
- Cornelis Drebbel (1572-1633), Dutch inventor who created an early submarine.
- Cornelis van Nijenrode (1702-1787), Dutch statesman who served as Prime Minister of Holland.
- Cornelis van der Lijn (1809-1876), Dutch painter who specialized in landscapes.