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Lionel

“Little lion” — Latin via French origin

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

Lionel has appeared in US records since 1880 — best rank #295 (1933) · 33,789 babies named Lionel all-time · 1 in 4,000 boys born in 2025.

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).

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

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