The name Lionel is a girl's name of French origin meaning "young lion".

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Lionel is yet another traditional boy's name entering the girls' column--at least once-- via prizewinning novelist Lionel (born Margaret Ann) Shriver.

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Lionel

French

The name Lionel peaked for girls at #4708 in 1931. Lionel is also used for boys, ranking #659 in 2025.

The name Lionel is a boy's name of Latin origin meaning "young lion".

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Lionel is one leonine name that hasn't taken off as cousins Leo and Leonardo have, though it did reenter the Top 1000 in 2010 after several years away; it was at its highest point in the 1920s and 1930s.
 This French diminutive of Leon has had many worthy namesakes over time, including Sir Lionel, a Knight of the Round Table, actor Barrymore, critic Trilling, musicians Hampton and Richie, Argentine Olympic footballer Messi, and characters in numerous movies and TV shows such as gruff but loveable Lionel Hardcastle in the Judi Dench comedy As Time Goes By. Real life Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue was portrayed in The King's Speech.
 Lionel Barrymore, of the famed theatrical family, was a mainstay of Golden Age Hollywood films, and kids might like the association to Lionel trains.
 This is a timeless choice worth considering.

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The name Lionel is currently ranked #659 in U.S. births. and peaked for boys at #295 in 1934. The name is most popular in LIONEL, LIONEL, and LIONEL. Lionel is occasionally used for girls in 1986.

Year	US rank	Births	Per million
2014	—	0	0
2015	—	0	0
2016	—	0	0
2017	—	0	0
2018	—	0	0
2019	—	0	0
2020	—	0	0
2021	—	0	0
2022	—	0	0
2023	—	0	0
2024	—	0	0
2025	—	0	0

Lionel

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