"king, royal"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Basil
Pronunciation: [ b-AZ-uhl ]
Does Basil flow with your last name?
A regal Greek classic fit for a king
English
Greek
Eastern European
Middle Eastern
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Sophisticated
Literary
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"kingly, of the king"
Origin: Greek basileus
Language: English
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The Story of Basil
Basil derives from the Greek 'Basilios', from 'basileus' meaning king. It was the name of Basil the Great (329-379 AD), a bishop of Caesarea and one of the most influential theologians in Christian history, which spread the name throughout the Eastern Christian world. The name was also borne by Byzantine emperors, cementing its royal associations.
Basil was common in Britain through the early 20th century and has been experiencing a quiet revival as parents rediscover classic names with character. John Cleese's iconic Basil Fawlty character kept the name in British consciousness, and the herb connection adds a fresh, botanical appeal.
Saint Basil the Great is one of the Three Holy Hierarchs in Eastern Christianity and the patron saint of Cappadocia. In Greece and Eastern Orthodox communities, Basil is a highly respected name. In Britain, the name carries both aristocratic and comedic associations through Fawlty Towers.
Historical Record
Basil first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 5,225 babies have been named Basil in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Basil is past its peak , currently ranked #2,026 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, built 1555-1561, is named after the saint, not the king
- Basil the herb takes its name from the same Greek root—fit for a king
- Basil Fawlty of Fawlty Towers is consistently ranked one of the greatest British TV comedy characters
Basil in Other Languages
Greek
Βασίλειος
Arabic
باسيل
Italian
Basilio
Russian
Василий
Spanish
Basilio
Popularity Over Time
#2,026
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1953
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Basil
B
Basil Rathbone
Actor
1892
South African-British actor most famous for playing Sherlock Holmes in 14 films from 1939-1946
B
Basil the Great
Religious
329
Bishop of Caesarea and Doctor of the Church, one of the most influential theologians in Christian history
B
Basil Fawlty Fictional
Other
Fictional hapless hotel owner created and played by John Cleese in the BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers
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Compare Basil with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,026
- Total SSA Count
- 76
- Cultural Origins
- English Greek Eastern European Middle Eastern
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Baz
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Basil
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Basil is also used as a girl name, ranked #6357.
View Basil as a girl name →Similar Names
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"lover of hounds"
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Old English origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Basil
What does the name Basil mean?
"king, royal" (from Greek). "kingly, of the king" (from Greek basileus). Basil derives from the Greek 'Basilios', from 'basileus' meaning king. It was the name of Basil the Great (329-379 AD), a bishop of Caesarea and one of the most influential theologians in Christian history, which spread the name throughout the Eastern Christian world. The name was also borne by Byzantine emperors, cementing its royal associations.
What is the origin of the name Basil?
Basil has Greek, Greek basileus, English, Eastern European, and Middle Eastern origins. In Greek, it means "king, royal". In Greek basileus, it means "kingly, of the king".
Is Basil a boy or girl name?
Basil is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2026. As a girl name, it is ranked #6357. Basil is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Basil?
Basil is pronounced b-AZ-uhl.
How popular is the name Basil?
Basil is currently ranked #2026 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Basil?
Common nicknames for Basil include Baz.
What are good middle names for Basil?
Popular middle name pairings include Basil Oliver, Basil James, Basil Henry, Basil Edward, Basil George, and Basil Frederick.
What are good sibling names for Basil?
Names that pair well with Basil as siblings include Cecil, Rupert, Jasper, Cressida, Cordelia, and Clementine.
How many syllables does Basil have?
Basil has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Basil a common or rare name?
Basil is an uncommon name, ranked #2026 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Basil
Basil is a boy name with English, Greek, Eastern European, and Middle Eastern origins . The name means "king, royal" in Greek .
Is Basil a boy or girl name? Basil is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,026 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #6,357. Basil is more commonly used as a boy name.
Basil is currently ranked #2,026 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Basil has 2 syllables and is pronounced b-AZ-uhl, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Basil include Baz. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis