Vasilios

Meaning & origin

First recorded in the United States in 1923, Vasilios reached its peak popularity in 1975, reflecting a period when Greek-American families were actively preserving heritage names. After declining in subsequent decades, the name has been rising again since 2020, part of a broader revival of traditional Greek names like those from the 1970s. Although no U.S. states reported top-tier usage in 2025, Vasilios remains strongly concentrated in communities with Greek heritage. Its trajectory suggests a steady, modest comeback among parents seeking a distinctive yet culturally rooted name with a royal meaning.

Vasilios is the modern Greek form of the ancient Greek name Basileios, derived from 'basileus' meaning 'king' or 'royal'. The name has been borne by several Byzantine emperors and Eastern Orthodox saints, including Saint Basil the Great. It has remained a staple in Greek communities worldwide.