Vasili Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: vah-SEE-lee /vɑˈsili/
Origin: Greek; Slavic
Meaning: Greek: royal; Slavic: king
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Vasili has its roots in the ancient Greek name Basileios, which derives from the Greek word "basileus," meaning "king" or "royal." This name was adopted into Latin as Basilius, and subsequently made its way into various Slavic languages, including Russian, where it became Vasili. The transition from Greek to Latin and then to Slavic languages reflects the historical interactions and cultural exchanges in the regions influenced by the Byzantine Empire and later the spread of Christianity in Eastern Europe.
Historically, the name Vasili has been borne by several notable figures, particularly in the context of Russian history. One of the most significant bearers was Vasili I of Russia, who ruled from 1389 to 1425 and was instrumental in consolidating the power of the Grand Duchy of Moscow.
His son, Vasili II, known as Vasili the Blind, ruled in the 15th century and faced numerous challenges during the period of the Great Feudal War in Russia. The name also appears in the context of the Orthodox Church, with several saints named Basil, including Saint Basil the Great, a prominent theologian and bishop in the 4th century.
Culturally, the name Vasili carries connotations of nobility and leadership, reflecting its etymological roots associated with kingship. In Russian tradition, the name is often linked to the celebration of the Feast of Saint Basil, which is observed on January 1st in the Orthodox calendar.
This feast day is significant in various Slavic cultures, where it is associated with the New Year and the arrival of winter festivities. The diminutive form Vasya is commonly used in familial and affectionate contexts, highlighting the name's versatility and enduring presence in Russian-speaking communities.
Famous people named Vasili
In this section, you will find notable people named Vasili. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Vasili who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Vasili who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Vasili Kandinsky is a painter best known for Composition VIII, On White II, and Yellow-Red-Blue.
Vasili Alexeyev is a weightlifter best known for setting multiple world records and winning Olympic gold medals.
Fictional characters named Vasili
The following list of fictional characters named Vasili is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Vasili Ivanovich Dazhegov is a fictional character from the novel The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. He is a minor character who serves as a representative of the Soviet bureaucracy and embodies the themes of corruption and moral ambiguity in the story.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Vasili, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Vasili. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Vasili was first seen in the United States in 1976.
Vasili has ranked as high as #1348 nationally, which occurred in 2013, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Vasili has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Vasili is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Vasili was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Vasili
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Vasili.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 1998 | 7 |
| 1993 | 5 |
| 1976 | 5 |