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Virgil

♂ Boy

Pronounced VUR-jil /ˈvɜɹ.d͡ʒɪl/Medium

Meaning: From the Roman family name Vergilius, of uncertain meaning, borne by the poet Virgil; the spelling 'Virgil' was later associated with Latin 'virgo' (maiden).Medium

In 30 seconds: Virgil comes from the Roman family name Vergilius, of uncertain meaning, borne by the famous Latin poet.
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Origin MediumLatin
MeaningFrom the Roman family name Vergilius, of uncertain meaning, borne by the poet Virgil; the spelling 'Virgil' was later associated with Latin 'virgo' (maiden).
U.S. rank (2024)#1542 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births114 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1921
Total births (all-time)≈ 71,881

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192118802024

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

History & Origin

The name traces to the Roman clan name Vergilius, whose original meaning is not known. Its fame rests on the great poet Virgil, author of the Aeneid, whose stature carried the name forward. The spelling shifted from Vergil to Virgil partly through a later association with the Latin word 'virgo', maiden, though that link came after the fact rather than at the root.

Older and cross-language forms include the Latin Vergilius and Virgilius, the French Virgile, and Vergil itself. American fashion designer Virgil Abloh, founder of Off-White and a director at Louis Vuitton, gave the name a striking modern bearer.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Virgil is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Virgil — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

VergilVirgiliuVergiliusVirgiliusVirgile

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Virgil Abloh (1980-2021)
    American fashion designer who founded Off-White and was artistic director of Louis Vuitton menswear.

Frequently Asked

What does the name Virgil mean?

Virgil is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with Roman family tradition.

How do you pronounce Virgil?

It's commonly said VUR-jil /ˈvɜɹ.d͡ʒɪl/.

Is Virgil a boy or girl name?

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

How popular is Virgil?

In 2024, Virgil ranked #1542 in the U.S. for boys, with 114 births recorded.