Lionel is a distinctive choice, ranked #847 in 2024. Your child is likely to be the only Lionel in their class.
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UK Rank 2024
#847
US Rank #561
About the Name Lionel
Lionel has never been more popular than it is right now, sitting at UK #847. The name has climbed 264 places in the last five years — a significant surge by any measure. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996.
Lionel is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it ranks even higher at #561, where it enjoys a particularly strong following.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Lionel
Unlikely. With around 38 UK babies named Lionel per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Lionel in his class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Lionel is currently rising in popularity in the UK, up 264 places over the last five years to #847 in 2024. If this trend continues, it will become more common in classrooms over the next decade.
Lionel is more popular in the US (#561) than in the UK (#847). Names with strong rankings in both countries tend to have broad cross-cultural appeal, working well for international families or those with ties to both nations.
Notable people named Lionel include: Lionel Messi — Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the...; Lionel, LLC — Lionel, LLC is an American designer and importer of toy trains and model railroads that is headquartered in Concord, North Carolina..
Lionel ranks #561 in the US top 1,000 (2024). It's recognised in America but considerably more popular in the UK.
38
UK babies named Lionel (2024)
< 1
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.0
In a school of 600
↑ 264 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Lionel
Likely around 1 other Lionel in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Lionel
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, Messi has set numerous records for individual accolades won throughout his professional footballing career, including eight Ballon d'Ors, six European Golden Shoes, and eight times being named the world's best player by FIFA.
Lionel Herbert Dahmer was an American chemist and author best known for being the father of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. In 1994, he wrote A Father's Story, a non-fiction account of his son's upbringing as well as Jeffrey’s subsequent serial murders and their aftermath.
Lionel, LLC is an American designer and importer of toy trains and model railroads that is headquartered in Concord, North Carolina. Its roots lie in the 1969 purchase of the Lionel product line from the Lionel Corporation by cereal conglomerate General Mills and subsequent purchase in 1986 by businessman Richard P.
Lionel Poilâne was a French baker and entrepreneur whose commitment to crafting quality bread earned him worldwide renown. His father, Pierre Poilâne started a baking business in 1932, creating bread using stone-ground flour, natural fermentation and a wood-fired oven.
Lionel of Antwerp, Duke of Clarence was an English prince, Earl of Ulster jure uxoris from 1347, Duke of Clarence from 1362, Guardian of England in 1345–46, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1361–66, Knight of the Garter from 1361, third son (second surviving) of King Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault. He was named after his birthplace, at Antwerp in the Duchy of Brabant.
Lionel Bart was an English writer and composer of pop music and musicals. He wrote Tommy Steele's "Rock with the Caveman" and was the sole creator of the musical Oliver!.
Sir Lionel Alfred Luckhoo was a Guyanese politician, diplomat, and lawyer, famed for his 245 consecutive successful defences in murder cases. He was the brother of the last Governor-General of Guyana, Sir Edward Luckhoo.
Lionel Robert Jospin was a French politician who served as prime minister from 1997 to 2002. Jospin was first secretary of the Socialist Party from 1995 to 1997 and the party's candidate for president in the 1995 and 2002 elections.