The village is located within the urban area of Evje, along the river Otra and the Norwegian National Road 9.

The village was once separate from Evje, but over the years they have grown together.

The Hornnes Church is located on the south end of the village near the lake Breidflå (part of the river Otra).

The village of Evje grew up on the opposite side of the river, about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) to the northeast and it was the administrative centre of a separate municipality: Evje.

So the meaning of Hornnes is "the headland shaped like a horn", probably referring to the small peninsulas on either side of the river Otra as it enters the lake Breidflå.