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Vasilii
Fact sheet
- Name
- Vasilii
- Gender
- Boy name
- Syllables
- 3
The first name Vasilii is a Russian variant of Basil, which is a short form of the Latin name Basilius. This name has its origins in the Greek designations Basileus (Βασιλευς) and Basileios (Βασιλειος).
What does the name Vasilii mean?
Vasilii is considered a male first name that is a Russian derivative of Basil, which in turn leads to the Latin Basilius. The name has Greek roots, particularly in the expressions Basileus (βᾰσῐλεύς) for 'the king', 'the chief', 'the master', 'the lord', and 'the patron', as well as basíleios (βασίλειος) for 'royal'. The spread of the name is closely linked to the veneration of Saint Basil, the Archbishop of Caesarea. Other variants include Basile, Basilic, Basilides, Basilus, Basiel, Bazil, Bazyli, and Basileo. Related forms also include Vasilios, Vasileios, Vasile, Vasilakis, Vasilije, Vasilis, Vasilus, Vasilius, Vasileos, Vasil, Vasili, Vasilij, Vasilijus, Vasilis, Vasily, Vasja, Vasya, Vassily, Vassileios, Vassilios, and Vassili. Female forms are Basilea, Basilia, Basilissa, Basilisa, and Vasilia.
Where does the name Vasilii come from?
The etymology of Vasilii is Ancient Greek and means 'the royal'. Its origin lies in the Ancient Greek composition basileús, which means 'the king', 'the chief', 'the master', 'the lord', or 'the patron', and basíleios, which stands for 'royal'. The language is Russian.
How do you pronounce Vasilii?
The pronunciation of Vasilii is three to four syllables and features a vowel-rich structure. In Russian, the name is usually pronounced as 'Va-si-lii' [vɐˈsʲilʲij]. It begins with a soft, open 'Va', which has a calming effect. The middle syllable 'si' has a clear, slightly tense timbre. The elongated ending '-lii' creates a floating, almost gliding sound. Overall, Vasilii sounds melodic and tradition-conscious - gentle in flow and fine in finish.
When is the name day of Vasilii?
The name day of Vasilii is celebrated on January 2.
Popularity
In Germany, Vasilii is considered a rare first name. The name currently ranks 5,840th on the list of the most popular male first names. Its best ranking was achieved in 2020, reaching 4,047th place. Over the last ten years, the name has been chosen about 10 times as a first name, placing it 6,380th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 7,533rd.
Famous people
- Vasilii Belous (boxer from Moldova)
- Vasilii Danilov (swimmer)
- Vasilii Sarenko (Russian guitarist)
- Vasilii Sergeevich Vladimirov (Russian mathematician)
Frequently asked questions about the name Vasilii
What is the origin of the name Vasilii?
The origin of Vasilii is Ancient Greek. The name derives from 'basileús', which means 'the king', and 'basíleios', which stands for 'royal'. The name also has Russian roots.
What does the name Vasilii mean?
Vasilii is regarded as a male first name whose meaning is 'the royal'. It is closely associated with the veneration of Saint Basil, the Archbishop of Caesarea.
How popular is the name Vasilii?
Vasilii is common in Russia and other Slavic countries. The popularity of the name varies but is particularly widespread in the Orthodox community.