How Many People Are Named Basil?

Complete statistics for the name Basil: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.

Basil
Very Rare
Greek

Basil means 'king' in Greek, fitting for such a regal name. Only 1 in 56,946 Americans are named Basil, making it very rare indeed. With most people named Basil over 60, it's clear this is an old-school favorite.

~1,960
Living in US
1 in 169,107
Americans
1924
Peak Year

📖 Meaning & Origin

💬
Meaning
King
🌐
Origin
Greek
🔢
Numerology
Life Path 7
Personality Traits
Dignified Wise Reliable
7
Life Path Number

Life-path number 7 symbolizes introspection, wisdom, and spiritual growth.

🌍 Worldwide Usage

31,430
Worldwide Bearers
#7,581
Global Rank
🇹🇿 Tanzania
3,697
🇨🇦 Canada
3,527
🇺🇬 Uganda
3,091
🇵🇭 Philippines
2,772
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
2,718
🇪🇬 Egypt
1,605
🇬🇭 Ghana
1,517
🇨🇲 Cameroon
1,412
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
1,303
🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea
1,125

⚥ Gender Distribution

♂ Male
5,466 (94%)
♀ Female
329 (6%)

📊 Births by Age Group

Avg Cohort Age: 76
1,959
Would be under 30 (15%)
1,914
Would be 30–60 (14%)
9,554
Would be over 60 (71%)

All 13,427 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).

📈 Popularity Over Time

Peak: 1924

Annual US births from SSA records  ·  Trend: Rising

🏆 Name Scorecard

Popularity
97
Classic Feel
97
Modern Appeal
13
International
5

Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency

📜 Basil Through the Generations

Basil has been around since 1924 when it peaked with 281 births, but its popularity has waned since then. Today, there are 5,795 people named Basil living in the US, with nearly three-quarters being over 60 years old. This age skew suggests that while it's a classic name, it's seeing a resurgence among younger parents who appreciate its timeless charm.

📍 State Distribution (Top 10)

New York 1,104
Pennsylvania 847
West Virginia 739
Michigan 530
California 454
Ohio 434
Texas 362
Missouri 328
Indiana 326
Illinois 258

✨ Similar Names to Basil

🌿 Related Names by Origin

Other names sharing Basil's Greek roots

📄 About the Name Basil

How Many People Have the Name Basil?

Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 1,960 people in the United States currently share the name Basil. That works out to roughly 1 in every 169,107 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.

Is Basil a Common or Rare Name?

Basil is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.

What Does the Name Basil Mean?

Basil means "king" and comes from Greek origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 7.

Gender Breakdown

Of all recorded bearers of Basil in SSA data, approximately 94% are male and 6% are female.

When Was Basil Most Popular?

The name Basil reached peak popularity in 1924, with 281 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.

How Is This Data Calculated?

All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are named Basil?

Approximately 1,960 people named Basil live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 1,960. That works out to roughly 1 in 169,107 Americans.

Is Basil a rare name?

Basil is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 169,107 Americans has this name.

What does the name Basil mean?

Basil means "king" and comes from Greek origins.

Is Basil more male or female?

Based on SSA records, 94% of people named Basil are male and 6% are female.

When was Basil most popular?

Basil peaked in 1924 with 281 births that year. Current trend: Rising.

How accurate are these statistics?

All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.

Disclaimer: All results are statistical estimates based on aggregated SSA birth records and modeling. Not exact counts of individuals. Data source: SSA National Baby Names dataset.
Quick Stats
Living in US1,960
All-Time Births1,960
1 in X1 in 169,107
RarityVery Rare
GenderMale
Avg Age76
Peak Year1924
World Rank#7,581
Male %94%
Female %6%

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Data Source

Powered by the SSA National Baby Names dataset, birth registrations from 1880 to present.

All counts are statistical estimates. See the methodology page.