Basil
Basil comes from the Greek "basileus," meaning king or royal. The name was used by Byzantine emperors and by several early Christian saints. Saint Basil the Great (c.330-379) was a 4th-century theologian and bishop of Caesarea, one of the most important figures in early Christian monasticism. The herb basil is unrelated — it derives from the same Greek root, possibly because the plant was considered royal. Basil was moderately popular in early 20th-century America, peaking at #272 in 1928. It has been outside the top 1000 since 1971. Basil Rathbone (1892-1967), the South African-born British actor who played Sherlock Holmes in 14 Hollywood films (1939-1946), is the most famous 20th-century bearer. Basil Fawlty, the manic hotelier played by John Cleese in "Fawlty Towers" (1975-1979), gave the name a comic charge. I find Basil has an elegant, slightly old-world quality — the "B" opening is firm, and the "s" gives it a slightly English-genteel texture. The "royal" etymology is one of the most distinguished in naming. Basil is rare in the US but retains British appeal. Basil is a male name of Greek origin that means "Royal, king (from basileus)". Elegant, old-world, and a little British. The name sounds distinctive. Basils tend to be witty. US outside top 1000 since 1971. More common in UK. Well-known people named Basil include Saint Basil the Great, Basil Rathbone (actor), Basil Fawlty (fictional, Fawlty Towers), Basil (Byzantine emperors). Common variations and related forms of Basil include Basileios (Greek), Basilio (Italian/Spanish), Basile (French), Vasilii (Russian).