Lionel
Lionel is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Little lion or young lion.
Origin and history
Lionel is a classic masculine name derived from Old French as a diminutive of Leo, meaning 'young lion' or 'little lion'. It has a long history in European literature, notably featuring as a Knight of the Round Table in Arthurian legend. In the United States, it has maintained steady, moderate usage over the decades, recently boosted by international pop culture and sports figures.
Popularity in the United States
33,789 babies in the United States have been named Lionel since 1880. It ranks #629 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #586.
States where it is most popular
- LA (16.2 %)
- CA (13.4 %)
- TX (13 %)
- NY (9.9 %)
- IL (5.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 73 |
| 1890-1900 | 176 |
| 1900-1910 | 261 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,726 |
| 1920-1930 | 3,046 |
| 1930-1940 | 2,915 |
| 1940-1950 | 3,067 |
| 1950-1960 | 3,632 |
| 1960-1970 | 3,466 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,426 |
| 1980-1990 | 3,368 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,704 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,440 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,674 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,815 |
Famous people named Lionel
- Lionel Richie: Singer, Songwriter
- Lionel Barrymore: Actor, Director
- Lionel Messi: Athlete, Soccer Player
Nicknames
Leo, Lio
Fun facts
- Sir Lionel is a prominent Knight of the Round Table and cousin to Sir Lancelot in Arthurian mythology.
- The name originated as a Norman French diminutive of 'Léon' (Leo), adding the '-el' suffix to denote 'little'.