Lionell
Meaninglittle lion · English form of Lionel
- US rank
- #9,714
- Syllables
- 2
- Peak
- #1,227 in 1949
7 babies were named Lionell in the US in 2025.
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US births per million boys, 1915–2025
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Lionell you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- How commonAbout 1 in every 243,902 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Lionell, 7 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Lionell would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryLionell first shows up in US birth records in 1915, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 110 years since.
- Best yearIt was far more popular in 1949, when it ranked #1,227. Today it's #9,714, so it could be due a comeback.
- MeaningLionell is an English form of Lionel, which means “little lion”. Our records link it to English and French roots.
About the name Lionell
Lionell is a boy name of English and French origin meaning “little lion”. It has 7 letters and 2 syllables, starting with L and ending in “-ell”. US birth records list Lionell for boys from 1915 to 2025, in 102 of those 111 years. Its best year was 1949, when it ranked #1,227 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #9,714, with 7 babies.
Origin:English namesFrench names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 4.1 | 241,546 boys |
| 1920s | 5.5 | 183,486 boys |
| 1930s | 7.9 | 125,945 boys |
| 1940s | 11 | 88,574 boys |
| 1950s | 14 | 70,373 boys |
| 1960s | 13 | 77,942 boys |
| 1970s | 12 | 82,440 boys |
| 1980s | 13 | 74,294 boys |
| 1990s | 5.8 | 171,527 boys |
| 2000s | 4.8 | 209,205 boys |
| 2010s | 3.9 | 254,453 boys |
| 2020s | 1.2 | 857,143 boys |
Other spellings of Lionell
More English boy names
- Boy name: Oliver · olive tree
- Boy name: Henry · ruler of the home
- Unisex name: James · supplanter
- Boy name: William · resolute protector
- Boy name: Benjamin · son of the right hand
- Boy name: Jack · God is gracious
- Unisex name: Hudson · son of Hudde
- Unisex name: Julian · of the Julius family
Questions about the name Lionell
What does the name Lionell mean?
Lionell means “little lion” in English, as a form of Lionel.
What is the origin of the name Lionell?
Lionell has English, French roots in our records. Other English names include Oliver, Henry, James.
Is Lionell a boy or girl name?
Lionell is a boy name.
How popular is the name Lionell?
Lionell ranked #9,714 for US boys in 2025, given to 7 babies. Its best year was 1949 (#1,227).