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.
"Basil has seen a notable increase in popularity over the past century, with a significant spike occurring between 2012 and 2023."