Declining since 2022, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Lyonel since 1925
Babies named Lyonel per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2012, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lyonel's real moment was 2023.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 6 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 16 |
| 1970s | 23 |
| 1980s | 60 |
| 1990s | 13 |
| 2000s | 22 |
| 2010s | 71 |
| 2020s | 41 |
Meaning & origin
Lyonel is a rare medieval variant of Lionel that saw its peak popularity in the United States in 2023 before beginning a slight decline. In 2025, it ranked 12,008th with approximately 1 in 341,615 newborn boys receiving the name. Its trajectory has been falling since 2022, indicating a shift away from this spelling. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1925, and despite its long history, it has never achieved widespread use. Lyonel appeals to parents seeking a traditional yet uncommon name with strong sound and Arthurian resonance.
Lyonel is a Medieval English and French variant of Lionel, derived from the Latin 'leo' meaning lion, with the diminutive suffix '-el' to mean 'little lion'. The name was popularized in Arthurian legend and later used as a given name in England from the Middle Ages onward. It experienced a revival in the 19th century alongside other medieval names.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lyo, Leo, Nell, Lion
Sibling names for Lyonel
Names that share Lyonel's style, for a brother or sister.
