Basil

Unisex

Meaning

King

Origin

Greek

Pronunciation

/ˈbeɪzəl/

EDITOR'S NOTE

Emily P.

PupNames.com Contributor

Basil is one of those old-fashioned names that I feel has a real charm to it. It's a name with royal roots, and is a top-notch choice for your well-behaved male dogs.

Oh, and it's not just a fragrant herb, folks! I'm thinking of Basil Rathbone right now -- the suave Sherlock Holmes actor, who lends a dash of sophistication to this name for sure.

Plus, in Greek, Basil means "king," so it's perfect for your regal Rover. And let's not forget Basil of Baker Street, the Sherlock-inspired mouse detective.

So there are tons of reasons to go with Basil, not least if they have a knack for sniffing out hidden treats from behind the couch! It's a name that's equal parts classy, quirky, and cute.

Traits associated with the name Basil:

Basil has an elegant sound to it that really closes the gap between dog and human.

Dogs named Basil tend to be loving, affectionate, good-natured, and strong-willed. This name is also associated with companionship, and intelligence.

What does it say about you to have a dog named Basil?

That you have a creative and unique sense of humor, and that you appreciate the finer things in life.

Is Basil a good dog name?

Basil has two syllables, which is highly recommended by dog trainers. Basil is a widely loved dog name for good reason. If you like it, go for it!

Popularity: Overall

147
PupNames logo
411
New York City Dog Name Database
1,095
Los Angeles Times 'Top Dogs'

Basil is one of the more popular dog names out there. According to our data, Basil outranks the great majority of names.

Popularity: Historical Trend

Basil was, in the past month, the 708th most viewed dog name on PupNames.com.

As of December 2024, Basil is becoming ever more niche with new puppy owners. Our stats suggest that the name is less fashionable than it was at this time last year.

We've seen quite a lot of variation in rank for this name, which may suggest seasonal factors or interest driven by pop culture events.

In the past week, Basil was viewed 119 times, and liked 1 times.

Popularity: United States

The map below shows Basil's popularity across the United States, according to PupNames data.

Basil is most adored in Maryland, New Mexico and Washington.

By contrast, the name has been shown the least amount of interest in Idaho, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Popularity: Around The World

And this world map shows which countries have the greatest love for the name Basil.

Most popular breeds named Basil:

  1. Dachshund
  2. Labrador Retriever
  3. Jack Russell Terrier
  4. Corgi
  5. Chihuahua

Basil is found in these categories:

old fashioned dog names
old-fashioned

Popular during Victorian times, it's rarely heard in modern dog parks.

cute dog names
cute

Evokes a charming herb, and recalls Fawlty Towers' lovable, bumbling protagonist.

greek dog names
greek

Derived from Greek, meaning royal, kingly, or brave.

posh dog names
posh

Derived from royal herb, it's favored by aristocrats and Downton Abbey fans.

food dog names
food

Named after a popular herb used in cooking.

nature dog names
nature

Derived from a plant, it's often chosen for dogs due to its earthy, green connotations.

disney dog names
disney

He's named after a detective hound in a popular animated film.

british dog names
british

Associated with popular British TV character Fawlty and traditional English cooking.

Dog names like Basil:

Little Bird
The first name of agatha christie's miss marple character
Courtyard within castle walls; steward or public official.
Companion, partner; perhaps a version of the word "brother".
Gift of god
Ali
Noble, Exalted
Basil dog name meaning

Comments icon Comments (2)

Commenter icon
🇵🇪
Basil Malvaceda vargas (Lima region, Peru)
He is a precious little boy, cocky and steals hearts. Considered as a son, a member of the family; He is a very intelligent little boy with a lot of ability to carry out activities typical of puppies.
June 01, 2024 ◆ Translated

Commenter icon
🇺🇸
LeAnna (Georgia, United States)
The name Basil makes me thing of the herb basil, which is refreshing, and elegant
September 02, 2022

Let us know what you think of Basil as a dog name!