Lionel

“Little lion” — Latin via French origin

Boy's name · #659 in the US (2025) · Heirloom

Lionel belongs to an older America first — it reached #295 back in 1933 — yet it still appears in today's records at #659. About 34,000 boys have carried it since 1880.

Around the world: #9 in Argentina (2024) · #98 in Switzerland (2024).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 29 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Lionels

Lionel Messi — Argentine association football player (born 1987)
Lionel Richie — American singer, songwriter and actor
Lionel Jospin — 93rd Prime Minister of France (1997–2002)
Lionel Barrymore — American actor, director, screenwriter (1878–1954)
Lionel Scaloni — Argentine association football player and coach

In stories & tradition

Lionel Hutz — The Simpsons
Sir Lionel — Arthurian romance
Lionel Luthor — Smallville

What Lionels become

Among 1,304 notable people named Lionel:

Military figures appear 1.68× more often than among typical names — e.g. Lionel Dunsterville, British Army general (1865-1946).

Similar names: Leonel · Norman · Lyle · Noel · Marcel · Leroy

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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