The first name Basil
A boy’s name from Greek.
Pronounced /ˈbæz.əl/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Greek origin
Name of several early saints, particularly in the Orthodox Church, from Latin Basilius, from Ancient Greek Βασίλειος (Basíleios). Doublet of Vasilios and Vasily.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 26 boys were named Basil, making it the 1,124th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2021, with 28 births (#1,023).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Basil with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Basil at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 74 boys born in the United States were named Basil, the 2,022nd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1924, when 281 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Basil in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Nicknames and spellings
Nicknames for Basil
- Baz
- Bazza
Famous people named Basil
40 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Basil RathboneEnglish actor (1892–1967)
- Basil Fool for ChristEastern Orthodox Church Saint, 1462–1552
- Basil BernsteinBritish sociologist (1924–2000)
- Basil BoioannesByzantine catapan, 1017–1100
- Basil Hall ChamberlainBritish academic (1850–1935)
- Basil DeardenBritish film director (1911–1971)
- Basil HeatleyBritish athlete (1933–2019)
- Basil D'OliveiraCricket player of England. (1931-2011)
- Basil BennettAthletics competitor (1894–1938)
- Basil DavidsonBritish journalist and historian (1914–2010)
- Basil MesardonitesByzantine catapan of Italy, 950–1017
- Basil ArgyrosByzantine nobleman, 970–1030
More Greek boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Basil mean?
- Name of several early saints, particularly in the Orthodox Church, from Latin Basilius, from Ancient Greek Βασίλειος (Basíleios). Doublet of Vasilios and Vasily.
- What is the origin of the name Basil?
- Name of several early saints, particularly in the Orthodox Church, from Latin Basilius, from Ancient Greek Βασίλειος (Basíleios). Doublet of Vasilios and Vasily.
- How popular is the name Basil?
- In 2025, 26 boys born in England and Wales were named Basil, ranking 1,124th. Its peak was 2021, with 28 births.
- What are nicknames for Basil?
- Common nicknames for Basil include Baz, Bazza.
- Is Basil a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 97% of the 13,538 US babies named Basil since 1880 were boys.
- When was Basil most popular?
- 1924 in the United States, when 281 babies were named Basil, its highest rank at 354th.
- How do you pronounce Basil?
- Basil is /ˈbæz.əl/, 2 syllables.
- Is Basil also a surname?
- Yes. Basil is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.