Basil is a name of Greek origin that means "king" or "royal". It is derived from the Greek word "basileus", which was used to refer to a king or ruler in ancient times.
The name Basil has been used throughout history by several notable figures. One of the most famous bearers of this name was Saint Basil the Great, who was a bishop and theologian in the 4th century AD. He is now considered one of the Holy Fathers of the Church and is revered as a saint in both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches.
Another notable figure with the name Basil was Basil I, also known as Basil the Macedonian, who was the first emperor of the Byzantine Empire to be born a Christian. He ruled from 867 to 886 AD and was known for his military successes against the Arabs.
The name Basil has also been used by several royalty throughout history, including several kings of the Byzantine Empire and the Bulgarian Empire.
Despite its historic roots, the name Basil is still used today, particularly in Greece and other parts of Eastern Europe. It is considered a strong and distinctive name that reflects its royal origins. However, it is not as commonly used as some other names with Greek origins, such as Alexander or Nicholas.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Basil has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past two decades in the United States. While there were only 7 births recorded with the name Basil in 1919 and 5 births in 1927, the number of babies named Basil started to rise significantly from 2006 onwards.
In 2006, there were 7 births with the name Basil, which then increased to 11 births in 2010. The year 2012 marked a significant turning point as there were 21 births that year, and this number was maintained in 2013 as well. Since then, the popularity of the name Basil has continued to grow, with 25 births recorded in 2017, 26 in 2018, and 29 in 2021.
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the popularity of the name Basil remained robust, with 28 births recorded in both 2020 and 2022. While there was a slight dip to 24 births in 2023, this number is still notably higher than the figures from previous decades.
In total, there have been 324 babies named Basil born in the United States since 1919. This data shows that while the name may not have been particularly popular a century ago, it has gained significant traction in recent years and continues to be a favored choice among parents today.