Virgil
Virgil is a boys' name of Latin origin meaning “uncertain.”
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how do you pronounce Virgil?
VER-jil
where does the name Virgil come from?
Through the Middle English Vyrgyle from the Latin Virgilius, from the Roman family name Vergilius, of unknown meaning.
Virgil (Publius Vergilius Maro) wrote the Aeneid, Rome's national epic and one of Western literature's foundational texts. Dante chose Virgil as his guide through Hell and Purgatory in the Divine Comedy. The name carries immense literary authority. In America, it has a folksy Southern charm alongside its classical grandeur.
how popular is this name?
Virgil has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 112 years since 1880. It peaked at #93 in 1907, and ranked #856 in 1991.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 1991 | #856 |
| 1990 | #804 |
| 1989 | #819 |
| 1988 | #796 |
| 1987 | #772 |
| 1986 | #670 |
| 1985 | #728 |
| 1984 | #641 |
| 1983 | #675 |
| 1982 | #570 |
| 1980 | #616 |
| 1970 | #396 |
| 1960 | #296 |
| 1950 | #234 |
| 1940 | #166 |
| 1930 | #128 |
| 1920 | #101 |
| 1910 | #111 |
| 1907 | #93 |
| 1900 | #110 |
| 1890 | #142 |
| 1880 | #163 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Virgil fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Virgil
Virgil is the usual English name for the Roman poet Publius Vergilius Maro, whose fame made it popular as a given name and surname; Vergil is a variant spelling.
who are famous people named Virgil?
- Virgil (Roman poet, author of the Aeneid)
- Virgil Abloh (American fashion designer and artist, Off-White founder)
what are the nicknames and variants of Virgil?
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Virgil?
what names go well with Virgil?
Sibling names that share Virgil's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Virgil
What does the name Virgil mean?
Virgil means “uncertain”.
What is the origin of the name Virgil?
Virgil comes from the Latin naming tradition. Related forms include Vergil.
How popular is the name Virgil?
Virgil ranked #856 in the US in 1991, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1907, at #93, and it has spent 112 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Virgil a boy or girl name?
Virgil is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Virgil?
Virgil is pronounced VER-jil, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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