The name Virgil is derived from the ancient Roman name Vergilius, which is believed to have originated from the Latin word "virga," meaning a young shoot or twig. This suggests that the name may have been associated with fertility, growth, or vitality in its early origins.

The name Virgil gained widespread recognition and popularity due to the renowned Roman poet Publius Vergilius Maro, better known as Virgil, who lived from 70 BC to 19 BC. He is best known for his epic works, the Aeneid, Eclogues, and Georgics, which have been celebrated as some of the greatest poetic masterpieces of ancient Rome.

During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period, Virgil's literary works were widely studied and revered, and his name became closely associated with the classical tradition and the revival of ancient Roman culture. Many scholars and writers during this time adopted the name Virgil as a tribute to the great poet.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Virgil can be found in the works of the 4th-century Roman grammarian Aelius Donatus, who wrote a commentary on Virgil's works. Another notable figure named Virgil was Virgil of Salzburg, an 8th-century Irish missionary and scholar who helped spread Christianity in present-day Austria and Bavaria.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Virgil. These include the English explorer Virgil Prittie (1600-1668), who was one of the first English settlers in Virginia; the American architect Virgil Ivan Grissom (1904-1959), who designed the Nebraska State Capitol building; and the American writer Virgil Thomson (1896-1989), known for his works on music criticism and his opera librettos.

Other famous individuals named Virgil include the American astronaut Virgil "Gus" Grissom (1926-1967), one of the original NASA Project Mercury astronauts and a member of the ill-fated Apollo 1 crew; and the American artist Virgil Williams (1830-1886), known for his landscape paintings depicting scenes from the American West.