Leonel
Meaning of Leonel
Leonel may be only six letters long, but it carries the quiet power of a lion’s paw print. A Spanish-flavored twist on the medieval French Lionel, the name traces back to the Latin “leo,” meaning—no surprise—“lion.” That regal core explains why parents who choose Leonel often picture a son with courage in his pocket and kindness in his stride. In English it’s said lee-oh-NEL, while Spanish speakers soften it to leh-oh-NEL, giving the name an easy, cross-cultural charm. Thanks to soccer legend Lionel (Leonel) Messi and a steady climb up the U.S. charts—now hovering around the 300 mark—Leonel feels familiar yet far from overused. It’s the sort of name that growls just enough to keep things interesting, then curls up into a warm, trustworthy nickname like Leo. In short, Leonel offers parents a modern way to crown their little cub.
Pronunciation
American English
- Pronunced as lee-oh-NEL (/liːˈoʊnɛl/)
British English
- Pronunced as lee-oh-NEL (/liːˈoʊnl/)
Spanish
- Pronunced as leh-oh-NEL (/leˈonel/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Leonel
| Leonel Brizola was a Brazilian engineer turned politician, launched by Getulio Vargas, who led the Labour Party youth wing, served as Rio Grande do Sul legislator and Porto Alegre mayor, and was the only politician elected governor of two Brazilian states. |
| Leonel Manzano is a Mexican American former middle distance runner who specialized in the 1500 meters and mile, won silver at the 2012 Olympics, and is known for his strong finishing kick. |
| Leonel Suárez - Leonel Suarez Fajardo is a Cuban decathlete who won Olympic bronze in 2008 and 2012, World silver in 2009, and World bronze in 2011. |
| Leonel Marshall Jr. - Leonel Marshall is a Cuban volleyball outside hitter famed for his vertical leap, a 1999 Pan American Games gold medalist and the youngest member of Cuba’s team that finished seventh at the 2000 Olympics. |
| Leonel Álvarez - Leonel Ignacio Alvarez is an Argentine professional footballer who plays midfield for Club Deportivo Macara. |
| Venezuelan cyclist Leonel Alexander Quintero Arteaga rides for the UCI Continental team Victoire Hiroshima. |
| Leonel Álvarez - Leonel Dante Alvarez is an Argentine midfielder for San Martin SJ. |
| Leonel Anselmo Herrera Rojas is a Chilean former center back who played for Colo Colo, Union Espanola, O Higgins, and the Chile national team. |
| Leonel Marcelo Herrera Silva is a Chilean former football defender who played in Chile, Mexico, and Switzerland and now serves as a Santiago councillor. |
| Leonel Maciel is an Argentine handball player for Sporting CP and the Argentina national team. |
