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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Royal, kingly
- Origin
- Greek (via Latin Basilius)
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- BAY-zul
Basil is a boy's name of Greek origin that came into English via the Latin Basilius, and it carries the meaning "royal, kingly." It's pronounced BAY-zul (IPA /ˈbeɪzəl/). For parents drawn to clean, modern names with a regal meaning behind them, Basil fits that brief.
Meaning & Origin of Basil
Meaning: Royal, kingly.
Origin: Greek (via Latin Basilius).
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Basil
BAY-zulIPA /ˈbeɪzəl/
Popularity of Basil
Basil hit its peak popularity in 1897 at #322, when 33 baby boys were given the name; by 2024 it ranked #2009, with 76 boys named Basil that year, according to Social Security data covering 1880-2024.
Names Like Basil
These names share Basil’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Basil mean?
Royal, kingly. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Basil?
Basil is pronounced BAY-zul (IPA: /ˈbeɪzəl/).
Is Basil a popular name right now?
Basil peaked at #322 in 1897 and is ranked #2009 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Basil Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Basil, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Basil? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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