A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Virgil since 1880
Babies named Virgil per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Virgil's real moment was 1907.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 827 |
| 1890s | 1,349 |
| 1900s | 2,134 |
| 1910s | 10,858 |
| 1920s | 15,992 |
| 1930s | 11,363 |
| 1940s | 8,950 |
| 1950s | 7,286 |
| 1960s | 5,208 |
| 1970s | 3,147 |
| 1980s | 1,746 |
| 1990s | 1,067 |
| 2000s | 685 |
| 2010s | 764 |
| 2020s | 633 |
Meaning & origin
Virgil is a name with ancient Roman gravitas, most strongly associated with the poet of the Aeneid. In the United States, its peak popularity occurred in 1907, when it ranked highest among recorded years. After a long decline, the name has been rising in use since 2008, though it remains rare: in 2025, it was given to roughly 1 in 13,241 newborn boys, placing it at rank 1409. Virgil has seen a revival in recent decades, particularly in states such as Arizona, Colorado, and Indiana, which had the highest rates of use. Its classic literary and historical resonance, combined with its current rarity, gives it a distinctive appeal for parents seeking a name with depth and tradition.
Virgil is the English form of the Latin name Vergilius, of uncertain etymology. It has been associated with Latin 'virga' (staff, rod) or 'virgo' (maiden), but these are speculative. The name gained enduring fame through the Roman poet Publius Vergilius Maro (Virgil), author of the Aeneid. It was revived in the English-speaking world during the Renaissance and has remained in occasional use ever since.
Where Virgil 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.
“Virgil” around the world
Where Virgil lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Virg, Gilly
Variants: Vergil, Virgilius
Sibling names for Virgil
Names that share Virgil's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Lucia, Clara, Augusta, Flora, Maeve, Eula, Arlie, Bulah, Caryl, Exie, Floy, Glenna, Idella, Larue, Lessie, Letha, Mozella, Ocie, Treva, Twila, Venita, Vergie, Ardyce, Cleta, Creola, Delorise, Drema, Earlean, Ivery, Kizzie, Lanelle, Lavada, Lavonna, Nadean, Pauletta, Theola, Velva, Veola, Verlie, Wanita, Zula, Ardeth, Beuna, Cloteal, Dossie, Eulala, Flonnie, Ivah, Ladean, Lajune, Leitha, Luretha, Maudell, Mettie, Pearlean, Reather, Vadie, Valma, Vassie, Vergia, Verlean, Virgene, Vona, Wanza, Altamese, Anola, Arcola, Arlita, Captola, Clema, Dezzie, Doshia, Earlyne, Eular, Flordia, Gennette, Guyla, Inetta, Junella, Lafern, Laverle, Loeta, Luwana, Macil, Oneita, Oveda, Tiney, Valory, Vercie, Verdelle, Vickye, Wilsie, Cloria, Rayola, Armetta, Clemma, Deletha, Dicy, Dula, Eldoris, Ettamae, Imajean, Ladonne, Leotta, Leveda, Lulamae, Lurlean, Luvena, Maudean, Mazella, Oreatha, Reathel, Royanne, Shirlena, Twylah, Vear, Verbie, Verble, Vergene, Versia, Virdell
Brothers: Horace, Oscar, Felix, Cyrus, Arthur, Leland, Burnell, Cletis, Cletus, Dewitt, Early, Merle, Odis, Rayford, Arlis, Cleve, Delroy, Demaris, Garner, Hardin, Lawerence, Merl, Milburn, Mozell, Reno, Verl, Vester, Virgle, Windell, Burnis, Cleave, Cloyce, Curlee, Dodge, Doss, Estil, Eual, Gaither, Legrand, Lonzie, Ovid, Ples, Raeford, Thurmon, Vearl, Veryl, Vestal, Alben, Bueford, Bynum, Cleston, Ersel, Estus, Gearl, Huel, Lavoy, Leldon, Levell, Orbie, Ordell, Rabon, Ruble, Thurmond, Varnell, Verdis, Virl, Wirt, Wyndell, Burel, Rual, Alphus, Arvle, Burris, Buryl, Claudy, Cleatus, Gurnie, Meril, Plez, Tunis, Vick, Virgal, Welborn, Zebbie
