Virgil Boy

Popularity: #809 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: VER-jil //ˈvɜːrdʒɪl//

Origin: Latin

Meaning: flourishing; strong

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Virgil is derived from the Latin name "Virgilius," which is believed to have originated from the Latin word "virga," meaning "branch" or "twig." This etymological root suggests connotations of growth and vitality. The name was popularized in ancient Rome, particularly through the works of the poet Publius Vergilius Maro, known as Virgil, who lived from 70 to 19 BCE.

His epic poem, the "Aeneid," became a cornerstone of Latin literature and significantly influenced Western literary tradition, establishing the name Virgil as one associated with literary excellence and cultural heritage. Throughout history, the name Virgil has been linked to various notable figures and events.

In the early Christian era, Virgil was often invoked in discussions of morality and virtue, largely due to the moral themes present in his poetry. The name also appears in the writings of Dante Alighieri, who features Virgil as a guide in the "Divine Comedy," written in the early 14th century.

This association with guidance and wisdom further solidified the name's significance in literary and philosophical contexts. Culturally, Virgil embodies themes of inspiration and enlightenment, often representing the ideal of the poet as a moral compass.

The name has been embraced in various forms across different languages and cultures, maintaining its stature through the centuries. In addition to its literary connections, Virgil has been associated with pastoral and bucolic imagery, reflecting the agrarian roots of its etymology.

The diminutive form "Virg" has also emerged in some cultures, although it is less commonly used. Overall, the name Virgil carries a rich historical and cultural legacy that continues to resonate through its literary and philosophical associations.

Famous people named Virgil

In this section, you will find notable people named Virgil. 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 Virgil who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Virgil 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.

Virgil Abloh was a fashion designer best known for Off-White, Louis Vuitton, and his work with Kanye West.

Virgil van Dijk is a professional footballer best known for playing with Liverpool and the Netherlands national team.

Virgil Thomson was a composer and music critic best known for his work on the operas Four Saints in Three Acts and The Mother of Us All.

Virgil Earp was a lawman best known for his role in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

Fictional characters named Virgil

The following list of fictional characters named Virgil 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.

Virgil Hawkins is a fictional character from the animated series Static Shock. He is a teenage superhero who gains electromagnetic powers and fights crime in Dakota City.

Virgil is a fictional character from the video game series Danganronpa. They are a student at Hope's Peak Academy and play a significant role in the narrative surrounding the killing game.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Virgil, 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 Virgil. 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 Virgil was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Virgil has ranked as high as #235 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in Ohio, Texas, Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky.

In the past 5 years the name Virgil has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Virgil 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 Virgil was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

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 Virgil.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 129 129 0
2024 114 114 0
2023 123 123 0
2022 81 81 0
2021 101 101 0
2020 85 85 0
2019 91 91 0
2018 73 73 0
2017 96 96 0
2016 88 88 0
2015 70 70 0
2014 75 75 0
2013 68 68 0
2012 50 50 0
2011 73 73 0
2010 80 80 0
2009 64 64 0
2008 54 54 0
2007 73 73 0
2006 69 69 0
2005 69 69 0
2004 75 75 0
2003 69 69 0
2002 71 71 0
2001 75 75 0
2000 66 66 0
1999 80 80 0
1998 102 102 0
1997 82 82 0
1996 88 88 0
1995 96 96 0
1994 85 85 0
1993 114 114 0
1992 112 112 0
1991 149 149 0
1990 159 159 0
1989 146 146 0
1988 142 142 0
1987 142 142 0
1986 179 179 0
1985 152 147 5
1984 180 180 0
1983 160 160 0
1982 227 227 0
1981 225 220 5
1980 209 203 6
1979 238 238 0
1978 235 228 7
1977 259 253 6
1976 273 265 8
1975 311 311 0
1974 312 312 0
1973 354 345 9
1972 372 366 6
1971 428 421 7
1970 408 408 0
1969 391 384 7
1968 447 442 5
1967 453 446 7
1966 458 458 0
1965 512 503 9
1964 555 547 8
1963 568 561 7
1962 562 555 7
1961 636 625 11
1960 696 687 9
1959 667 651 16
1958 708 696 12
1957 679 668 11
1956 720 709 11
1955 709 699 10
1954 750 743 7
1953 772 759 13
1952 801 786 15
1951 803 789 14
1950 799 786 13
1949 802 791 11
1948 815 794 21
1947 868 854 14
1946 899 881 18
1945 863 845 18
1944 941 928 13
1943 1,013 993 20
1942 1,012 1,003 9
1941 937 923 14
1940 954 938 16
1939 953 937 16
1938 1,079 1,069 10
1937 981 969 12
1936 1,043 1,034 9
1935 1,121 1,104 17
1934 1,144 1,128 16
1933 1,155 1,139 16
1932 1,244 1,228 16
1931 1,402 1,384 18
1930 1,402 1,371 31
1929 1,364 1,339 25
1928 1,443 1,404 39
1927 1,526 1,499 27
1926 1,608 1,576 32
1925 1,525 1,503 22
1924 1,663 1,627 36
1923 1,743 1,713 30
1922 1,826 1,790 36
1921 1,869 1,830 39
1920 1,768 1,711 57
1919 1,611 1,570 41
1918 1,752 1,707 45
1917 1,563 1,523 40
1916 1,540 1,496 44
1915 1,410 1,376 34
1914 1,075 1,048 27
1913 846 819 27
1912 705 684 21
1911 369 355 14
1910 298 280 18
1909 264 250 14
1908 275 258 17
1907 289 276 13
1906 218 207 11
1905 241 226 15
1904 218 211 7
1903 188 173 15
1902 173 163 10
1901 169 158 11
1900 228 212 16
1899 166 154 12
1898 170 155 15
1897 169 159 10
1896 150 138 12
1895 152 146 6
1894 135 125 10
1893 119 119 0
1892 140 130 10
1891 133 123 10
1890 105 100 5
1889 93 93 0
1888 117 112 5
1887 77 77 0
1886 79 79 0
1885 82 82 0
1884 88 88 0
1883 70 70 0
1882 80 80 0
1881 65 65 0
1880 81 81 0

Top States for Virgil (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 18
38%
TX 11
23%
OH 8
17%
NC 6
13%
OK 5
10%