Lionel
Lionel: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈlaɪənl/
Meaning and origin of Lionel
Root meaning: “lion”
- A male given name from Latin of mostly British usage.
Etymology
A Middle English diminutive of French Léon, Latin Leo (“lion”), or of the Middle English nickname Lion + -el (diminutive suffix).
How popular is Lionel?
Since 1880, 44 girls and 33,789 boys in the U.S. have been named Lionel (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #4708 in 1931. Its highest rank for boys was #295 in 1933. In 2025 it ranked #659 for boys, with 419 babies given the name.
Names similar to Lionel
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Latin boy names
Sibling name ideas for Lionel
Sister and brother names that share Lionel's Latin roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Lionel FAQ
What does the name Lionel mean?
Lionel traces back to a root meaning "lion". A male given name from Latin of mostly British usage. A Middle English diminutive of French Léon, Latin Leo (“lion”), or of the Middle English nickname Lion + -el (diminutive suffix).
What is the origin of the name Lionel?
Lionel is listed as a name of Latin origin.
How popular is the name Lionel?
Since 1880, 44 girls and 33,789 boys in the U.S. have been named Lionel (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #4708 in 1931. Its highest rank for boys was #295 in 1933. In 2025 it ranked #659 for boys, with 419 babies given the name.
Is Lionel a boy or girl name?
Lionel is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 44 girls and 33,789 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.