Basil

Meaning: Kingly, royal
Origin: From Greek via Latin

Boy's name · #2022 in the US (2025) · Timeless

Popularity over time

Few names move less than Basil — on the books since 1880, #2022 in 2025, and dependable in between. Roughly 13,000 boys share it. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records.

Across the states

See where Basil is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 5 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Basil ranks in other countries and regions.

#256 in Belgium (2025) · #629 in Switzerland (2025) · #1,127 in England & Wales (2025) · #1,294 in France (2025) · #1,447 in Sweden (2025) · #1,624 in Canada (2024).

Famous Basils

Basil of Caesarea — 4th-century Christian bishop, theologian, and saint (329–379)
Basil II — Byzantine Emperor from the Macedonian dynasty
Basil I — Byzantine emperor from 867 to 886
Basil Rathbone — English actor (1892–1967)
Basil Fool for Christ — Eastern Orthodox Church Saint

In stories & tradition

Basil Fawlty — Fawlty Towers (TV series)
Basil Brush — anthropomorphic fox
Basil Hawkins — One Piece (manga)

What Basils become

Among 581 notable people named Basil:

Military figures appear 2.49× more often than among typical names — e.g. Basil L. Plumley, American soldier (1920–2012).

Similar names: Jules · Baron · Theron · Dashiell · Emile · Leander

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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