Basil
English · Boy · 2 syllables
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Basil
Basil derives from the Greek name Vasilis, which comes from the root "basileus" meaning "king" or "royal." The name has linguistic ties to the Greek word for kingship and sovereignty.
Cross-referenced with Wikidata/Wikipedia. AI-assisted, community-reviewable. Suggest an improvement.
Etymology
Basil derives from the Greek name Vasilis, which comes from the root "basileus" meaning "king" or "royal." The name has linguistic ties to the Greek word for kingship and sovereignty.
The name is primarily used in Christian cultures, particularly among Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox communities, with notable historical figures including Saint Basil the Great (4th century Church Father) and various Byzantine emperors.
Basil currently ranks #2,022 in the United States as a boy's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1924.
Variants & nicknames
Contribute to this name
Help improve this page with a meaning, origin, or correction—and get credited as a contributor.
Share your knowledge about this name—meaning, origin, pronunciation, or correction. Your contribution is reviewed and credited with your name.
Login to contributeWe use Google & Facebook login — no password needed.
Sibling name ideas
English, Arabic names that sit beautifully beside BasilSimilar names you might like
Names starting with BMore names starting with B
- Bastien
- Baker
- Bailey
- Banks
- Barnaby
- Babette
- Balaji
- Batuhan
- Barrett
- Bartholomew
- Barkat
- Balal
- Barney
- Barrie
- Baani
- Baran
- Bartley
- Baby
🧬 See Basil's popularity the year you were born →
🔢 Get Basil's free numerology report card →
💫 Is Basil your name? Get your free “My name means…” card →
👶 Have a Basil already? Find sibling names that fit →
✨ Get stylish & fancy text versions of Basil →
Names that sound like Basil
Phonetic match, not just spelling"Basile derives from the Greek name Basilios, which comes from the word "basileus" (βασιλeus) meaning "king" or "royal." The name…"
"Bazyli derives from the Greek name Basilius, which comes from the root "basileus" meaning "king" or "royal." The name carries…"
"Boguslaw is a Polish name composed of two Slavic elements: "bogus" (meaning "god" or "divine") and "slaw" (meaning "glory"), thus…"
"Bishal is a Sanskrit name meaning "mighty" or "powerful," derived from the Sanskrit root "bish" or "bahl" which conveys strength…"
"The given name 'Becali' does not have a widely recognized meaning or clear linguistic root; it is likely a Romanian…"
"Basiel is a variant of Basil, derived from the Greek name Basileios (Βασίλειος), meaning "royal" or "kingly." It is primarily…"
"Bijal is a Gujarati name meaning "lightning" or "brilliant flash of light," derived from the Sanskrit word *vidyut* (विद्युत्)."
"The given name 'Bexley' is of English origin, derived from a place name meaning "box tree clearing" or "meadow of…"
"Bazile means "royal" or "kingly" and derives from the Greek name Basilios (Βασίλειος), which comes from the Greek word "basileus"…"
"Basilie derives from the Greek name Basil (Basilios), meaning "royal" or "kingly," from the Greek word "basileus" (βασιλεύς)."
"Baziel is derived from the Hebrew name Bezalel (בְצַלְאֵל), meaning "in the shadow of God" from the roots *betzél* (shadow)…"
"Baishali is a Sanskrit name derived from "Vaishali," which means "prosperous" or "abundant," combining the roots "vai" (to expand) and…"