Lionel
Lionel is a boys' name of French origin meaning “little lion.” It ranked #659 in the United States in 2025. Derived from Old French 'Lionel,' a diminutive of 'Leon' or 'Lion.'
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how do you pronounce Lionel?
LY-uh-nel
where does the name Lionel come from?
A French diminutive of Léon, or of the Middle English nickname Lion with a diminutive ending, both ultimately from the Greek leon, lion: little lion.
It was a popular name among medieval French and English nobility and has a gentlemanly, classic quality.
how popular is this name?
Lionel has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 135 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 11. It peaked at #295 in 1933, and ranked #659 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #659 |
| 2024 | #562 |
| 2023 | #495 |
| 2022 | #620 |
| 2021 | #660 |
| 2020 | #659 |
| 2019 | #631 |
| 2018 | #634 |
| 2017 | #596 |
| 2016 | #583 |
| 2010 | #899 |
| 2000 | #998 |
| 1990 | #665 |
| 1980 | #483 |
| 1970 | #522 |
| 1960 | #364 |
| 1950 | #355 |
| 1940 | #352 |
| 1933 | #295 |
| 1930 | #330 |
| 1920 | #362 |
| 1910 | #480 |
| 1900 | #446 |
| 1890 | #511 |
| 1880 | #682 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Lionel fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Lionel?
- Lionel Messi (footballer)
- Lionel Richie (singer)
- Lionel Barrymore (actor)
what are the nicknames and variants of Lionel?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Lionel?
what names go well with Lionel?
Sibling names that share Lionel's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Lionel
What does the name Lionel mean?
Lionel means “little lion”.
What is the origin of the name Lionel?
Lionel comes from the French naming tradition. Related forms include Léon.
How popular is the name Lionel?
Lionel ranked #659 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1933, at #295, and it has spent 135 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Lionel a boy or girl name?
Lionel is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Lionel?
Lionel is pronounced LY-uh-nel, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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