Cornell \c(o)-rne-ll, cor-nell\ as a boy's name is of French origin. Medieval vernacular form of Cornelius. In modern use, it usually represents a transferred use of the surname. Cornell University, in Ithaca NY, was founded by 19th-century telegraph pioneer Ezra Cornell. He was for a while the largest stockholder in Western Union.

Cornell has 3 variant forms: Cornall, Cornel and Corney.

Baby names that sound like Cornell are Carnell and Kornell.