How to say it
LI · o · nel
ˈlaɪ.ə.nəl
Masculine
Lionel
Young lion
What it means
A French name meaning 'young lion,' a diminutive of Leon from Latin leo, 'lion.'
Lionel comes from Old French lionel, 'young lion,' a diminutive of Leon, which traces to Latin leo, leonem, 'lion.' The Latin word itself came through Greek leon from an older, likely Semitic, source. The name arrived in England after the Norman Conquest and appears in Arthurian legend as Sir Lionel, a knight and cousin of Lancelot, which helped spread it through medieval Britain and France. It carries the lion's long associations with courage and strength. Lionel eased to rank 659 in 2025, down from 562.
How to spell Lionel
The standard spelling is Lionel. Common variants include Leonel, Lyonel, Leon, but Lionel is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #295 in 1933, currently #659 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
LY-uh-nuhl, three syllables, stress on the first.
- Pop culture
Widely tied to footballer Lionel Messi.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Lionel Messi Argentine footballer
- Lionel Richie American singer and songwriter
Spelling variants
- Leonel
- Lyonel
- Leon
Names with the same feeling
See Lionel from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Lionel mean?
- A French name meaning 'young lion,' a diminutive of Leon from Latin leo, 'lion.'
- What does Lionel mean in French?
- In French, Lionel means "Young lion." Lionel comes from Old French lionel, 'young lion,' a diminutive of Leon, which traces to Latin leo, leonem, 'lion.' The Latin word itself came through Greek leon from an older, likely Semitic, source. The name arrived in England after the Norman Conquest and appears in Arthurian legend as Sir Lionel, a knight and cousin of Lancelot, which helped spread it through medieval Britain and France. It carries the lion's long associations with courage and strength. Lionel eased to rank 659 in 2025, down from 562.
- Is Lionel short for Leon?
- Yes. Lionel is a short form of Leon, and it carries the same meaning, "Young lion." These days many parents use Lionel as a given name in its own right, not only as a nickname.
- How do you pronounce Lionel?
- Lionel is pronounced ˈlaɪ.ə.nəl. Say it as LI-o-nel, with the stress on the "li" syllable.
- How do you spell Lionel?
- The standard spelling is Lionel. Common spelling variants include Leonel, Lyonel, Leon.
- Is Lionel a boy or girl name?
- Lionel is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Lionel?
- Lionel ranked #659 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.