Virgil

An uncommon pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsRising fast Also a pet name
#1542 71in 2024

Meaning & Origin

Pūblius Vergilius Marō (70–19 BCE), Roman epic writer from the Augustan period, best known for writing the Aeneid.

Virgil is a boy's and girl's baby name of Latin origin, from the Roman family name Vergilius, of uncertain etymology. It is borne by Publius Vergilius Maro (70–19 BCE), the poet who wrote the Aeneid — the foundational epic of Rome and one of the most influential works in Western literature.

Virgil carries the weight of two thousand years of literary tradition. It also had a distinctly American frontier life: Virgil Earp, lawman and brother of Wyatt, made it a name of the Wild West. Today it sits at the crossroads of classical scholarship and rugged Americana.

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Popularity Over Time

Virgil climbed 172 spots in the last 20 years — from #1714 to #1542.

04589151k2k18801900192019401960198020002024

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Virgil
DecadeBirthsTrend
2020s504
2010s764
2000s685
1990s1,067
1980s1,746
1970s3,147
1960s5,208
1950s7,287
1940s8,950
1930s11,363
1920s15,992
1910s10,858
1900s2,134
1890s1,349
1880s827

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 18802024)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Virgil
YearBirthsRank
2024114#1542
2023123#1471
202281#1935
2021101#1653
202085#1787
201991#1734
201873#2014
201796#1660
201688#1761
201570#2052
201475#1943
201368#2018
201250#2516
201173#1925
201080#1830
200964#2141
200854#2404
200773#1948
200669#1966
200569#1868

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Virgil as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Virgil has also been given to 1,444 girls in the U.S. since 1888.

Unranked
Current rank
1,444
Total births
1920
Peak year
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Frequently Asked

Can Virgil be used for both boys and girls?
Yes, Virgil is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #1542. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Virgil has two lives

Virgil, the baby name
#1542boys
71,881 babies
Currently viewing
Virgil, the pet name
#1974pet name
51 pets
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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (18802024) · Methodology