Meaning & Story
Virgil is an anglicization of Vergilius, the Roman family name of the poet Publius Vergilius Maro (70-19 BCE), author of the Aeneid — one of the greatest works of Latin literature. Dante chose Virgil as his guide through Hell and Purgatory in the Divine Comedy, cementing his association with wisdom and guidance.
Virgil carries the weight of one of Western civilization's greatest poets and, through Dante, the ultimate image of a wise guide through dark territory. On a pet, that depth of meaning translates into something genuinely moving: a name for a deeply loyal, wise companion who seems to understand more than any animal should. Virgil suits a calm, intelligent dog with an old-soul quality who watches the world with quiet comprehension. It is a name for a pet who feels like a guide.