Baby Name Popularity Profile

Lionel

Data-driven SSA statistics, rankings, and historical trends for Lionel.

✦ Young lion 🌍 French, Latin traditional royal
National Rank (2025) #659
All-Time Peak Rank #295 Achieved 1933
Total U.S. Births 33,789 since 1880
Unisex Distribution 100.0% Boy / 0.0% Girl Male Archetype
First Recorded 1880 Last seen: 2025
Peak Decade 2010s 609 births in 2023
💡 The Lionel Vibe: Considered a Modern Trend. A contemporary choice reflecting current cultural naming rhythms and popularity brackets.

🌍 Meaning & Etymology

Primary Meaning Young lion
Language Origin French, Latin
Origin Type multiple
Derived from Old French Lionel, a diminutive of Léon, which comes from Latin Leo meaning 'lion'.
Common Nicknames
Leo
Alternative Spellings
Lyonel
Pronunciation: LY-uh-nel
Themes & Categories
traditional royal
Etymology confidence: High

📖 The Story Behind Lionel

According to SSA data, Lionel achieved its highest historical rank of #295 in 1933. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 2023 with 609 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have increased by 3.5%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 144 consecutive years.

📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)

Registration footprint of Lionel across 145 years of SSA data.

5-Year Trajectory Stable
10-Year Shift +3.5% Growth
18801920196020002025

📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility

Busiest Year on Record 609 births in 2023
Years in Top 100 0 yrs
Years in Top 500 87 yrs
Registry Streak 144 yrs
Historical Volatility Highly Volatile
Largest 1-Year Jump N/A
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s: 73
1890s: 176
1900s: 261
1910s: 1,726
1920s: 3,046
1930s: 2,915
1940s: 3,067
1950s: 3,632
1960s: 3,466
1970s: 2,426
1980s: 3,368
1990s: 1,704
2000s: 1,440
2010s: 3,674
2020s: 2,815

📐 Sound & Spelling Structure

Phonetic Syllables Li-on-el
Letter Count 6 letters
Spelling Complexity Moderate
Length Percentile Longer than 25.7% of names
Linguistic Profile: Longer than 25.7% of SSA names. Starts with L, a letter used by only 5.7% of SSA names.

🛠️ Sibling & Surname Cadence Tool

Enter a surname or sibling name to test how it pairs with Lionel.

📍 Authentic State & Regional Rankings

Highest Ranking State Louisiana
Top States Louisiana, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Hawaii
States with Data 44
State 2025 Rank Total Births Peak Year 5-Yr Velocity
Louisiana Unranked 4,442 1953 Insufficient historical volume
Maine Unranked 685 1917 Insufficient historical volume
New Hampshire Unranked 382 1917 Insufficient historical volume
Rhode Island Unranked 301 1921 Insufficient historical volume
Hawaii Unranked 175 1938 Insufficient historical volume
Massachusetts #594 1,177 1925 Insufficient historical volume
Texas #537 3,561 2023 +3.4% Growth
New Mexico Unranked 224 1983 Insufficient historical volume
District of Columbia Unranked 183 1956 Insufficient historical volume
Arizona #513 496 2023 Insufficient historical volume
California #381 3,687 2023 +2.3% Growth
New York #872 2,710 1976 Insufficient historical volume
Illinois #455 1,552 2024 7.7% Decline
Florida #903 1,018 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Maryland #545 412 1961 Insufficient historical volume
Mississippi Unranked 331 1983 Insufficient historical volume
Virginia #1041 489 1957 Insufficient historical volume
Nevada #490 71 2016 Insufficient historical volume
Michigan #809 781 1961 Insufficient historical volume
Connecticut Unranked 209 1928 Insufficient historical volume
New Jersey #478 508 2023 Insufficient historical volume
North Carolina #667 495 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Alabama #836 289 1984 Insufficient historical volume
Missouri Unranked 321 1960 Insufficient historical volume
West Virginia Unranked 134 1923 Insufficient historical volume
Vermont Unranked 24 1931 Insufficient historical volume
Georgia #959 370 1984 Insufficient historical volume
Pennsylvania #891 689 1960 Insufficient historical volume
Colorado #728 140 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Washington #773 180 2024 Insufficient historical volume
South Carolina Unranked 156 1985 Insufficient historical volume
Indiana #751 206 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Ohio #1081 385 1962 Insufficient historical volume
Oklahoma Unranked 99 1985 Insufficient historical volume
Oregon #425 65 2017 Insufficient historical volume
Wisconsin Unranked 120 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Utah #537 43 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Tennessee #1129 108 1984 Insufficient historical volume
Kentucky Unranked 73 1963 Insufficient historical volume
Minnesota Unranked 77 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Nebraska Unranked 15 1934 Insufficient historical volume
Arkansas Unranked 19 1952 Insufficient historical volume
Kansas #662 16 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Iowa Unranked 19 1921 Insufficient historical volume

👨‍👩‍👧 Sibling Name Suggestions

👦 Brother Suggestions
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