Basil

♂ Boy

Pronounced BAS-eel /ˈbæs.il/Low

Meaning: From Greek Basileios 'royal, kingly', from basileus 'king'Low

In 30 seconds: Basil is a Greek boy's name from Basileios, 'royal, kingly', built on basileus, 'king'. It carries a regal meaning and a long history.

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Origin LowGreek

MeaningFrom Greek Basileios 'royal, kingly', from basileus 'king'

U.S. rank (2025)#2022 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births74 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1924

Total births (all-time)≈ 13,169

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Basil comes from the Greek Basileios, meaning 'royal' or 'kingly', from basileus, the word for king. The name has deep roots in the Greek world and traveled west into English use. Its meaning makes it one of the clearest 'kingly' names in regular circulation.

In English the name also shares a spelling with the herb basil, which gives it a second, everyday association alongside its royal sense. A famous bearer is actor Basil Rathbone, celebrated for playing Sherlock Holmes in fourteen Hollywood films.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Basil is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 55%

Behind the Name - Basil — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Basil Rathbone (1892–1967)
English actor famous for portraying Sherlock Holmes in fourteen Hollywood films from 1939 to 1946.

If you like Basil…

Cyril— another Greek name

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Bishop— lands in the same popularity range

Stefan— a fellow Greek choice

Titan— a similarly popular pick

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Basil mean?

Basil is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with Uncertain tradition.

How do you pronounce Basil?

It's commonly said BAS-eel /ˈbæs.il/.

Is Basil a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Basil is used as a boy name.

How popular is Basil?

In 2024, Basil ranked #2009 in the U.S. for boys, with 76 births recorded.