Lionel Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Lionel originates from the Latin word for 'lion', symbolizing strength and courage. It evolved from 'Leo' to its current form during the medieval period, reflecting traits of nobility and bravery. There is no biblical relevance associated with the name. Today, it is viewed positively, often linked with successful and influential individuals.
The name Lionel is most popular in Louisiana, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Lionel has been falling for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too falling for male in South, too falling for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Lionel' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 356th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 334th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 387th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 504th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 593rd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1038th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 628th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 9107th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 9204th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 12526th out of 12526 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 16870th out of 27321 names. Discover how the name 'Lionel' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Lionel"
Pronunciation
/ˈlaɪənəl/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
Lionel is derived from the Latin name 'Leo', which means 'lion'. The name was popularized in the medieval period, often associated with chivalry and nobility.
Meaning
Little lion
Language Evolution
Leo, Lionel
Historical Usage
Lionel gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly in France and England, due to its association with nobility and the lion as a symbol of courage.
Variants & Derivatives
Lion, Lio, Lionelito
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Lionel is perceived as a sophisticated and strong name, often associated with leadership and bravery. It has gained renewed popularity due to famous figures in sports and entertainment.
Famous People
Lionel Messi, Lionel Richie, Lionel Barrymore
Explore More Lionel Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Lionel"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Lionel"
"Lionel" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 356th of 7545 | 4,445 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 334th of 6773 | 5,191 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 387th of 7552 | 7,028 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 504th of 10718 | 4,153 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 593rd of 16616 | 4,355 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1038th of 24088 | 2,639 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 628th of 23106 | 5,280 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 9107th of 9107 | 5 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 9204th of 9204 | 5 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 12526th of 12526 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 16870th of 27321 | 29 |
Regional Popularity of "Lionel" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
30.72% 435th/1416 |
13.63% 188th/1379 |
19.36% 458th/2366 |
40.98% 468th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
26.91% 416th/1546 |
13.88% 216th/1556 |
14.49% 341st/2353 |
24.24% 375th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
21.51% 479th/2227 |
14.73% 358th/2430 |
11.88% 339th/2853 |
15.86% 440th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
19.61% 576th/2937 |
13.03% 454th/3483 |
13.36% 470th/3518 |
13.08% 529th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
20.19% 744th/3685 |
12.54% 561st/4475 |
10.26% 533rd/5194 |
8.91% 563rd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
30.21% 1384th/4582 |
22.50% 1162nd/5164 |
13.35% 976th/7313 |
11.91% 889th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
19.10% 761st/3984 |
14.87% 667th/4487 |
10.06% 686th/6822 |
7.49% 470th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Lionel" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Lionel"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Lionel" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.