A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Basil since 1880
Babies named Basil per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1924, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Basil's real moment was 1911.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 124 |
| 1890s | 244 |
| 1900s | 334 |
| 1910s | 1,719 |
| 1920s | 2,451 |
| 1930s | 1,705 |
| 1940s | 1,293 |
| 1950s | 1,090 |
| 1960s | 873 |
| 1970s | 577 |
| 1980s | 572 |
| 1990s | 661 |
| 2000s | 537 |
| 2010s | 548 |
| 2020s | 444 |
Meaning & origin
Basil is a name of Greek origin meaning 'royal,' borne by Saint Basil the Great, a 4th-century theologian who shaped Christian monasticism. In the United States, it reached its peak popularity in 1911, during a period of strong English heritage naming. After decades of decline, the name has been rising again since 2009, reflecting a renewed interest in vintage and classical names. It has historically been most common in Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and California. Its association with the culinary herb may add to its appeal for modern parents.
Basil derives from the Greek name Basileios, meaning 'king' or 'royal.' In the 4th century, Saint Basil the Great, a prominent theologian and bishop, popularized the name across Christendom. It has been used consistently in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages, often associated with the aromatic herb of the same name, though the plant name has a separate etymology from Latin.
Where Basil is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Basil” around the world
Where Basil lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Baz
Sibling names for Basil
Names that share Basil's style, for a brother or sister.
