Boy name · Greek
Basil
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: royal, kinglyBasil is a boy's name that comes from Greek and means "royal, kingly". It is used in English and Greek.
- Meaning
- Royal, kingly
- Origin
- Greek
- Gender
- Boy
- US rank
- #2022 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Basil
As a boy's name, Basil comes from Greek and means "royal, kingly". It is used in English and Greek.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Basil on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Basil on 9 lists.
“Royal, kingly; Greek. Also a fragrant herb”
From Boy middle names, unique boy middle names
“A fragrant herb and a dapper name for a boy cat”
From Cat names, nature cat names
“Royal, kingly; Greek. A fourth-century church father called the Great”
From Classic boy names, traditional Latin and Greek boy names
“Greek for kingly; an early founder of monastic life”
From Priest names, saint names with meaning
“Royal, kingly; Greek, and the sweet kitchen herb”
From Cute boy names, cute nature names for boys
“A leafy herb name for a gentle frog”
From Funny frog names, cute frog names
“Royal, kingly; Greek. Shared with a famed actor of classic horror and mystery films”
From Gothic names, gothic male names with real meanings
“Royal, kingly; Greek. A fourth-century church father called the Great”
From Old man names, distinguished old man names
“Greek for royal, and a kitchen witch's herb”
From Witch names, male witch and warlock names
How popular is Basil?
- US rank in 2025
- #2,022
- 74 babies, 43 per million boys
- Best rank
- #322 in 1897
- Most babies: 281 in 1924
- Babies since 1880
- At least 13,172
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 113 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 214 per million |
| 1900s | 246 per million |
| 1910s | 258 per million |
| 1920s | 222 per million |
| 1930s | 161 per million |
| 1940s | 87 per million |
| 1950s | 54 per million |
| 1960s | 45 per million |
| 1970s | 35 per million |
| 1980s | 31 per million |
| 1990s | 34 per million |
| 2000s | 27 per million |
| 2010s | 29 per million |
| 2020s | 43 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #2,234 | #2,244 | #2,066 | #2,048 | #2,326 | #2,002 | #1,828 | #2,033 | #2,015 | #2,022 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Basil
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- BasileRoyal, kingly (Greek, boy)
- VasileiosRoyal, kingly (Greek, boy)
- VasilisRoyal, kingly (Greek, boy)
- VasilyRoyal, kingly (Greek, boy)
Names spelled like Basil
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- BabisShining with joy (Greek, boy)
- BashirBringer of good news (Arabic, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- LeilaniHeavenly flowers; royal child (Hawaiian, girl)
- BasiliaRoyal (Greek, girl)
- CyneburhRoyal fortress (Old English, girl)
- CynricRoyal ruler (Old English, boy)
- ʻIolaniRoyal hawk (Hawaiian, unisex)
- KaʻiulaniThe royal sacred one (Hawaiian, girl)
- KamalaniHeavenly child, royal child (Hawaiian, unisex)
- KealiʻiThe chief, the royal one (Hawaiian, boy)
- KinsleyCyne's clearing, from cyne, royal (Old English, girl)
- ShahrokhRoyal face (Persian, boy)
Middle names for Basil
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Greek
- AlexanderDefender of men (Greek, boy)
- LucasMan from Lucania (Greek, boy)
- ChristianFollower of Christ (Greek, boy)
- LeonA lion (Greek, boy)
- HectorHolding fast (Greek, boy)
- TheoGift of God (Greek, boy)
- AlexisHelper, defender (Greek, boy)
- LucaMan from Lucania (Greek, boy)
- SebastianMan of sebaste, venerable (Greek, boy)
- AlexDefender, protector (Greek, unisex)
Basil: common questions
What does the name Basil mean?
Basil comes from Greek and means "royal, kingly".
Is Basil a boy or girl name?
Basil is mainly a boy's name. In 2025, 23 girls and 74 boys in the US were named Basil, according to Social Security Administration data.
Where does the name Basil come from?
Basil comes from Greek and means "royal, kingly". Today it is used in English and Greek.
How popular is the name Basil?
Basil ranked #2,022 in the US in 2025, with 74 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Basil?
Forms of Basil with the same meaning and origin include Basile (French), Vasileios (Greek), Vasilis (Greek) and Vasily (Russian).
What middle names go with Basil?
Middle names that flow well with Basil include Alistair, Alton, Chase, Elijah and Glenn. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.