Leonel Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Leonel is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Leonel?
Leonel is spelled L-E-O-N-E-L. The name has 6 letters.
Leonel at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Derived from the root “leo” meaning “lion”, the name means “young lion” or “little lion.”
- Origin
- Leonel may derive from the Old French name “Leonel”, a diminutive form of “Leon”, which itself comes from the Latin “Leo.”
- Pronunciation
- lee-oh-NEL · 3 syllables
Leonel Popularity in 2025
Rank#350
Recorded Births942
- Boys usage fell 33 places to #350 and recorded 142 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Leonel Mean?
Derived from the root “leo” meaning “lion”, the name means “young lion” or “little lion.”
Origin: Leonel may derive from the Old French name “Leonel”, a diminutive form of “Leon”, which itself comes from the Latin “Leo.”
How Do You Pronounce Leonel?
Pronunciationlee-oh-NEL
Syllables3
What Is the History of the Name Leonel?
- History
- Leonel has been used as a variation of names meaning “lion” in cultures influenced by Latin and Romance languages.
Leonel Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 942 | #350 |
| 2024 | Boys | 1,084 | #317 |
| 2023 | Boys | 1,075 | #308 |
| 2022 | Boys | 1,032 | #327 |
| 2021 | Boys | 868 | #373 |
| 2020 | Boys | 929 | #345 |
| 2019 | Boys | 972 | #346 |
| 2018 | Boys | 923 | #358 |
| 2017 | Boys | 903 | #365 |
| 2016 | Boys | 891 | #373 |
| 2015 | Boys | 821 | #389 |
| 2014 | Boys | 709 | #430 |
| 2013 | Boys | 606 | #463 |
| 2012 | Boys | 618 | #445 |
| 2011 | Boys | 581 | #460 |
| 2010 | Boys | 594 | #451 |
| 2009 | Boys | 578 | #473 |
| 2008 | Boys | 572 | #484 |
| 2007 | Boys | 556 | #481 |
| 2006 | Boys | 578 | #465 |
| 2005 | Boys | 633 | #422 |
| 2004 | Boys | 535 | #471 |
| 2003 | Boys | 447 | #524 |
| 2002 | Boys | 407 | #545 |
When Was Leonel Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2024 · Boys
1,084 recorded births
National rank #317
2023 · Boys
1,075 recorded births
National rank #308
2022 · Boys
1,032 recorded births
National rank #327
2019 · Boys
972 recorded births
National rank #346
Where Leonel Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| AZ | #151 | 59 |
| TX | #155 | 243 |
| DE | #168 | 6 |
| CA | #181 | 220 |
| NM | #213 | 9 |
| CO | #262 | 25 |
| NV | #267 | 11 |
| IL | #277 | 39 |