Basil vs Merlin

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Basil

Boy #2,026 Most Popular 2 Syllables

"king, royal"

Origin: Greek

English Greek Eastern European Middle Eastern

✓ All Clear

Boy #2,083 Most Popular 2 Syllables

"sea fortress"

Origin: Brittonic/Welsh

Welsh English French Medieval

✓ All Clear

Basil Rank #2,026

Merlin Rank #2,083

Basil is more popular, ranked #2026 vs #2083 for Merlin.

Is Basil or Merlin more popular?

Basil is more popular, ranked #2026 compared to Merlin at #2083 in the United States.

What do Basil and Merlin mean?

Basil means "king, royal" (Greek origin). Merlin means "sea fortress" (Brittonic/Welsh origin).

Are Basil and Merlin boy or girl names?

Basil is primarily a boy name. Merlin is primarily a boy name.