Basil
Meaning of Basil
The name Basil is a unisex name with rich historical and cultural roots. Originating from the Greek name Basileios, meaning "royal" or "kingly," Basil has been embraced in various cultures worldwide. In English-speaking countries, it is pronounced BAY-zuhl (/ˈbeɪzəl/), while in Arabic, it is pronounced bah-SEEL (/baːsɪl/), and in Greek, VAH-seel (/ˈvɑsiːl/). The name has several variations, including Basile, Basilius, and Vasili. Historically popular across different eras, Basil has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States over the years. It reached its peak usage around the mid-20th century but remains a distinctive choice for modern parents seeking a name that combines classic elegance with a touch of exotic flair. Whether you are drawn to its regal connotations or its cross-cultural versatility, Basil offers a timeless appeal that transcends generations.
Pronunciation
Arabic
- Pronunced as bah-SEEL (/baːsɪl/)
English
- Pronunced as BAY-zuhl (/ˈbeɪzəl/)
Greek
- Pronunced as VAH-seel (/ˈvɑsiːl/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Basil
| Basil Hiley - Basil J. Hiley is a British quantum physicist and professor emeritus at the University of London. |
| Basil of Caesarea, also known as Saint Basil the Great, was a bishop and influential theologian who supported the Nicene Creed and opposed early Christian heresies. |
| Basil Brown - Basil John Wait Brown was an English archaeologist and astronomer known for his discovery and excavation of the 6th-century Anglo-Saxon ship burial at Sutton Hoo, considered one of the most significant archaeological finds. |
| Philip St. John Basil Rathbone MC was a prominent Anglo-South African actor known for his Shakespearean stage performances and roles in over 70 films, including costume dramas, swashbucklers, and horror films. |
| Sir Basil Urwin Spence was a renowned Scottish architect known for his work on Coventry Cathedral and the Beehive in New Zealand, as well as other buildings in the Modernist/Brutalist style. |
| Basil George Watson was an Australian aviation pioneer who tragically died in an airplane crash while testing his self-constructed plane. |
| Sir Thomas Basil Clarke was an English war correspondent during the First World War and is regarded as the UK's first public relations professional. |
| Sir William Basil Goulding, 3rd Baronet was a versatile Irish figure known for his pursuits in art collecting, cricket, squash, business, and amateur architecture. |
| Basil van Rooyen was a versatile South African racing driver, race car developer, inventor, and engineer with experience in various types of racing vehicles. |
| Basil Risbridger Davidson was a British journalist and historian known for his influential books on African history and politics. |
| Basil Salvador Valdez is a renowned Filipino singer, honored with multiple Tinig Awards and the 1991 Tanglaw ng Lahi Award from Ateneo de Manila University. |
| Basil Cameron, CBE was an English conductor known for his influential work in the world of classical music. |
| Basil Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 4th Marquess of Dufferin and Ava - Basil Sheridan Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 4th Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, was a prominent Conservative politician and soldier in the United Kingdom. |
| Basil Henriques - Sir Basil Lucas Quixano Henriques was a British philanthropist of Portuguese Jewish origins known for his work in the East End of London in the early 1900s. |
| Basil Sydney was an English stage and screen actor. |
