The name Basil is a girl's name meaning "royal".

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This ancient Greek male name, well-used in Britain, also has an herbal quality that may explain its increasing use for girls. While as a name it rhymes with dazzle, the herb has a long a, making the pronunciation BAY-zel.

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Basil

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The name Basil peaked for girls at #3866 in 1919. The name is most popular in BASIL. Basil is occasionally used for boys in 2025.

The name Basil is a boy's name of Greek origin meaning "royal".

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Although Greek in origin--in the fourth century, a bishop by that name established the principles of the Greek Orthodox Church--Basil for years took on the aura of aquiline-nosed upper-class Britishness of Sherlock Holmes portrayer Basil Rathbone, then spiced with the fragrant aroma of the herb that entered with the Pesto generation.
 Now, it's time to take a fresh look at Basil.
 Basil was on the U.S. popularity list quite regularly up till 1970, reaching a high of Number 328 in 1904. Its history includes several rulers of the Byzantine Empire and Eastern Orthodox saints, including one whose grandmother, father, older sister and two younger brothers were all saints as well.
 Basil has also been seen as a figure of fun, as in the manic Basil Fawlty in the British TV comedy classic "Fawlty Towers," in the Disney movie "Basil of Baker Street," and as Basil Brush and Basil Wombat in other kids' entertainment.
 The Russian version, Vassily, is another possibility.

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The name Basil is currently ranked #999 in U.S. births. and peaked for boys at #322 in 1897. It is currently rising in popularity. The name is most popular in BASIL, BASIL, and BASIL. Basil is occasionally used for girls in 2025.

Year	US rank	Births	Per million
2014	—	0	0
2015	—	0	0
2016	—	0	0
2017	—	0	0
2018	—	0	0
2019	#4,787	28	16.7
2020	—	0	0
2021	#4,631	29	17.7
2022	#4,811	28	17.1
2023	—	0	0
2024	—	0	0
2025	—	0	0

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