Royal or kingly
Derived from the Greek name Basileios, it signifies royalty or sovereignty. It became popular in the early Christian era due to Saint Basil the Great and later gained a botanical association with the culinary herb.
Less common today
Basil isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #1,321 in 1992.
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
British actor famous for playing Sherlock Holmes
4th-century bishop and theologian
The eccentric and high-strung hotel manager · Fawlty Towers
The artist who paints the titular portrait · The Picture of Dorian Gray
A popular British puppet fox · The Basil Brush Show
