Male Name
Lionel
ljɔ.nɛl
ˈlaɪ.ə.nəl
ˈlaɪ.nəl
Overview
Gender
masculine
Origin
Categories
Animal Crossing characters
animals
Arthurian legend
bandleaders
Critical Role characters
DC Comics characters
Dharma and Greg characters
Fancy Nancy characters
felines
footballers
Characteristics
How people perceive this name
Overall Rating
79/100
classic160%
mature100%
formal140%
upper class140%
natural65%
wholesome140%
strong140%
refined140%
strange100%
serious120%
Meaning & Etymology
Lionel is a French diminutive of Léon, meaning 'lion'. It has historical roots in Arthurian legend, specifically in the 13th-century Lancelot-Grail Cycle, where it was the name of a knight, the brother of Sir Bors. The name has maintained its popularity over centuries and is notably borne by the Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi, highlighting its modern cultural significance.
Etymology
Original Form:
Léon
Evolution:
From the Latin 'Leo', meaning 'lion', to the French diminutive 'Lionel'.
Source:
Historical linguistic records and Arthurian legend texts.