Basil

Basil is a boy name of Greek origin, meaning Kingly; royal.

What Basil means

Kingly; royal.

Basil sits at 5 letters, and ends on a consonant, which gives it a firmer stop.

Where Basil comes from

Greek names often reach back to mythology, philosophy, or the early Church. They tend to be transparently meaningful in the original: many are compounds you can still take apart into their two halves.

Basil is recorded as Greek in origin. Browse other Greek names.

How popular is Basil?

Basil does not currently chart in the top 100 boy names. Rankings move constantly, and names can spend decades out of the lists before returning — so this says more about the present moment than about the name itself.

The character of Basil

Basil sits in our royalty and rule group. Following that theme is usually the fastest way to find the handful of other names that feel the way this one does.

Themes: Royal

Names like Basil

These share Basil's themes, origin, or both — closest first.

• Alexander — Defender of the people.
• Stephen — Crown; garland.
• Catherine — Pure.
• Arthur — Bear; noble and courageous.
• August — Great, venerable, majestic.
• Brendan — Prince; little raven.
• Cyrus — Sun; lord.
• David — Beloved.
• Etienne — Crown, garland.
• Friedrich — Peaceful ruler.
• Henry — Ruler of the home.
• Magnus — Great, mighty.

More Greek names

• Azalea — The azalea flower.
• Berenice — Bringer of victory.
• Atticus — From Attica; of Athens.
• Calix — Very handsome.
• Atlas — Enduring; the Titan who bears the sky.
• Calla — Beautiful; the calla lily.
• Athena — Goddess of wisdom and war.
• Calliope — Beautiful voice; muse of poetry.
• Astra — Of the stars.
• Cassandra — Shining upon man; a prophetess.