The nameBasile
Basile is the French form of Basil, a boy's name of Greek origin meaning "royal". The name of a great Father of the Church, it has come back into fashion in France since the 2000s.
- Boy's name
- Greek
Meaning
Basile comes from the Greek basileios, "royal", from basileus, "king".
Origin
Greek. Saint Basil the Great, bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia in the 4th century, is one of the Fathers of the Church and the author of a monastic rule still followed in the East.
History
The name is widely used in the Orthodox world (Vasily in Russian). In France it came back in the 2000s and 2010s and reached its highest level in recent years.
Basile in other languages
Basile is the French form of Basil. It is Basilio in Italian and Spanish, Basílio in Portuguese and Vasily in Russian. It comes from the Greek basileus, "king".
Did you know?
- Basile Boli headed the only goal of the 1993 Champions League final, giving Marseille victory over AC Milan.
Famous people named Basile
- Saint Basil the Great
- Basile Boli, footballer
Popularity of the name Basile
Basile in France
Basile was most popular in France in the 2020s, with 5,620 births over the decade, 29% of all recorded babies named Basile. Its rise began around 1988, and it peaked in 2025. Half of all babies named Basile in France were born before 2013, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 967 births a year on average, against 693 in the five years before.
Basile in Belgium
Basile was most popular in Belgium in the 2010s, with 1,066 births over the decade, 41% of all recorded babies named Basile. Half of all babies named Basile in Belgium were born before 2017, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 162 births a year on average, against 133 in the five years before.
Basile in Switzerland
Basile in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Basile mean?
Basile comes from the Greek basileios, "royal", from basileus, "king".
What is the origin of the name Basile?
Greek. Saint Basil the Great, bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia in the 4th century, is one of the Fathers of the Church and the author of a monastic rule still followed in the East.
Is Basile a girl's or a boy's name?
Basile is a boy's name.
Who are famous people named Basile?
Saint Basil the Great; Basile Boli, footballer.