Lionel is a given name of French origin. It comes from the Germanic elements "leob" meaning "lion" and "mann" meaning "man". Therefore, Lionel can be translated as "little lion man".
The name Lionel has been used throughout history by several notable figures. One of the most famous was Lionel of Antwerp (1338-1368), who was a Duke of Clarence and an important military leader during the Hundred Years' War between England and France.
In literature, Lionel appears as a character in Sir Walter Scott's historical novel "Ivanhoe". The name has also been used by several royal figures throughout history, including several kings of France and England.
Today, Lionel is still a popular given name for boys. It has a strong and powerful sound that reflects its lion-related origin. However, it is not as commonly used as some other boy names with French origins, such as Louis or Pierre.
Overall, Lionel is an interesting and historic name with a clear meaning and origin. Its association with strength and courage through its lion-related roots makes it a appealing choice for parents looking for a meaningful name for their son.
The name Lionel experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years. From just 8 births in 1880, it peaked at a staggering 607 births in 2023, demonstrating a remarkable increase in usage over time. The name's popularity surged dramatically during World War I and II, with notable spikes in 1917 (255 births) and 1945 (329 births), possibly due to the influence of prominent figures or cultural trends of those eras. However, from the mid-1960s onwards, the name's popularity began to decline, reaching its lowest point in recent times with 122 births in 2002. Despite this decrease, there has been a resurgence in popularity since around 2008, with numbers consistently above 300 births per year up until 2023.