Find out how popular the first name Basil has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Basil by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Basil is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 90% of people named Basil being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 73 male babies and 24 female babies born with the name Basil.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 24 baby girls were named Basil in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Basil

The name Basil originates from the Greek word "basileus" meaning "king" or "kingly". It is derived from the Phoenician word "basiliu" which translates to "king" as well. The name has been in use since ancient times and is believed to have first appeared in the 4th century AD.

Basil was a popular name among early Christian saints and martyrs. One of the most notable figures was Saint Basil the Great, a 4th-century bishop of Caesarea who was instrumental in shaping the traditions of the Eastern Orthodox Church. His writings and teachings had a profound impact on the development of Christian theology.

In the 9th century, Basil I, also known as Basil the Macedonian, was the founder of the Macedonian dynasty and reigned as the Byzantine Emperor from 867 to 886 AD. He is credited with stabilizing the empire and implementing various reforms during his rule.

Another famous Basil was Basil II, also known as Basil the Bulgar Slayer, who was the Byzantine Emperor from 976 to 1025 AD. He was a skilled military leader and expanded the empire's territories through his conquests.

In the realm of literature, Basil was the name of one of the major characters in the novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde, published in 1890. The character, Basil Hallward, was a painter whose masterpiece portrait of Dorian Gray played a central role in the storyline.

Basil Rathbone, born in 1892 and died in 1967, was a famous English actor best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in numerous films and radio productions. His performances as the legendary detective have become iconic in popular culture.

Throughout history, the name Basil has been associated with royalty, leadership, and significant figures in various fields, reflecting its regal and prestigious connotations.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Basil was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Basil, please contact us.

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