Basil
A boys’ name of Greek origin, meaning royal, kingly.
Basil by the numbers
In 2025, 26 babies in England and Wales were named Basil. In the US, 82 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given noticeably more often in England and Wales than in the US.
Its American peak was 281 babies in 1924, making it a 1920s name.
Names that come from Basil
Forms of Basil in other languages, names built from it, and names that mean a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
- Basilioroyal; kingly; form of Basil11 in the US (2017)
- Vasilyroyal, kingly; a form of Basil9 in the US (2017)
- Vasileroyal or kingly; form of Basil8 in England and Wales (2025)
- Vasileiosroyal or kingly; a form of Basil6 in England and Wales (2025)
- Vasiliaroyal; a feminine form of Basil5 in the US (2017)
- Vasilijeroyal; Serbian form of Basil5 in the US (2017)
- Vasilisroyal; Greek form of Basil4 in England and Wales (2025)
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Basil. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
- Baselroyal; kingly11 in the US (2017)
- Basimsmiling3 in England and Wales (2025)
- Bazilroyal, kingly; a form of Basil7 in the US (2017)
- Bashirbringer of good news, messenger8 in England and Wales (2025)
- Bailybailiff, steward; a form of Bailey16 in the US (2017)
- Basselbrave, valiant4 in England and Wales (2025)
Other names that mean a king or ruler
Like Basil, each of these has a king or ruler in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Henryruler of the home2,295 in England and Wales (2025)
- Averyruler of the elves10,365 in the US (2017)
- Ryanlittle king; descendent of rian8,422 in the US (2017)
- Aubreyelf ruler; noble strength6,029 in the US (2017)
- Arthurbear; the legendary king3,211 in England and Wales (2025)
- Reaganlittle king3,211 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as Basil
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