Leonel
Leonel is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Little lion.
Origin and history
Leonel is a masculine name of Latin origin, derived as a diminutive form of Leo meaning 'little lion'. It has historical roots in Romance languages, particularly Spanish and Portuguese, as well as medieval Arthurian romance. In the United States, it has seen steady usage and a noticeable rise in popularity in recent decades.
Popularity in the United States
27,067 babies in the United States have been named Leonel since 1880. It ranks #712 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #335.
States where it is most popular
- TX (31 %)
- CA (29.2 %)
- IL (5.3 %)
- FL (4.6 %)
- AZ (4.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 131 |
| 1920-1930 | 266 |
| 1930-1940 | 324 |
| 1940-1950 | 390 |
| 1950-1960 | 476 |
| 1960-1970 | 633 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,083 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,886 |
| 1990-2000 | 3,191 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,139 |
| 2010-2019 | 7,618 |
| 2020-2029 | 5,930 |
Famous people named Leonel
- Leonel Brizola: Politician, Governor
- Leonel Fernández: President, Lawyer
- Leonel Sánchez: Athlete, Soccer Player
Nicknames
Leo
Fun facts
- Sir Lionel (a variant of Leonel) appears in medieval Arthurian romance as a knight of the Round Table and cousin to Lancelot.
- Leonel serves as the Spanish and Portuguese counterpart to the Old French and English name Lionel.