Lionel

Middle English diminutive of French Léon, Latin Leo "lion", or of the Middle English nickname Lion. [1]

Lionel

1. A male given name of mostly British usage.
   • 1591, William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act II, (please specify the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals)]:

     , Scene IV

     His grandfather was Lionel, Duke of Clarence,

     Third son to the third Edward, King of England.

     Spring crestless yeomen from so deep a root?

   • 1953 L. P. Hartley, The Go-Between, Hamish Hamilton, 1974, page 49-50

     "Yes. You see, I was born under the sign of Leo, though it's not my real name."

     "What is your real name?"

     I saw Marcus looking at me, but I couldn't refuse to tell her.

     "It's Lionel. But don't tell anyone."

     "Why not?"

     "Because it's rather a fancy name."

• O'Neill, loline, niello, nollie

• IPA^(key): /ljɔ.nɛl/

Lionel

1. A male given name, equivalent to English Lionel.