Lyell /lyell/ [2 sylls.] as a boys' name. Lyell's name origins are Old French and Old Norse, and the name Lyell means the island; wolf. Lyell is an alternate spelling of Lisle (Old French): form of Lyle. Lyell is also a variant of Lyall (Old Norse): Scottish surname. Kreatif forms: Lolyell, Lyellri, Lylyell.