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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Lionel — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Lionardo|Lionell
LatinBoy↓ Declining

Lionel

LY-uh-nuhl · 3 syllables

Share Lionel:
Compare with another name
Boy
#561
↓ Declining
#561
in the US · 2024
Popularity score: 36
Peak rank
#496 in 2023
5yr change
-65 ranks
Birth frequency
1.5 per 10,000 births
Sex split
100% boy · 0% girl

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #561 · Rising since 2020

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

All US boy names
Top 200 boy names
Latin boy names
Lionel

Popularity score: 36  ·  SSA Rank: #561

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
55
Higher than 55% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
↓ Declining
-65 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · clear
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
65
1 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class
Name DNA
Latin RootClassicRegal3-syllableStrongMasculineLiteraryVintageNobleAnimal-inspiredDiminutive FormRenaissance
Character
gentle competitive driveartistic sensibility
People with this name

Qualities shared by notable Lionels

versatileskilleddeterminedhumblevisionary
STRONG
High confidence

Lionel is a Latin boy name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #561 in the US in 2024.

Trend:↓ Declining · -65 ranks
Feasibility:.com taken · — · clear
Popularity:#561 · rare
Lionel at a Glance
Meaning:From Latin 'leonellus', a diminutive of 'leo' meaning lion. Conveys strength and nobility in a gentler, more approachable form.
Language root:Latin · Old French
Peak rank:#496 in 2023
5yr change:-65 ranks
Sex usage:100% boy · 0% girl
Notable bearers
Lionel Messi
Footballer
Lionel Richie
Singer-songwriter
Lionel Barrymore
Actor
Similar Sound
LionelLionelloLeonardLeoLysanderLeonal
Similar Style
EdmundArthurJulianAdrian◈RaphaelSebastian
Works Well With
Sibling names that pair naturally with Lionel
EleanorMarcusClaraHenryVictoriaTheodoreSophiaOliver
You Might Also Like
Edmund
English · #1182
↓ Declining
Arthur
Celtic · #105
→ Stable
Julian
Latin · #30
→ Stable
Adrian◈
Latin · #72
→ Stable
Raphael
Hebrew · #420
↑ Rising
Sebastian
Latin · #14
→ Stable
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Lionel illustration
Name Intelligence
Lionel · Overview
Summary

Lionel is a Latin boy name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #561 in the US in 2024.

Search interest: 14/100 → Stable

Strengths
Classic · Regal · Strong character
Lionel carries a warm, bold, gentle quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Popularity declining
Rank has dropped 65 positions in the last year. Consider whether this trajectory matters for your decision.
Domain taken
lionel.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
Explore

Add to watchlists or your list with + Save next to the name above.

Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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