Fun Facts About the Name Basilisa
- 32 babies named Basilisa: U.S. records list 32 babies given the name Basilisa from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Basilisa Mean?
Basilisa is a feminine name of Greek origin meaning "queen." It comes from the Greek word basilissa (βασίλισσα), the feminine form of basileus (βασιλεύς), "king," with the feminine suffix -issa. The Latinized form of the name is Basilissa. The spelling Basilisa is a simplified form of Basilissa. The literal sense is a female ruler or sovereign; any later association with royal bearing or dignity is an extension of that meaning rather than a separate etymology. The name is related to the masculine names Basil and Vasily, which come from the same Greek root, but Basilisa preserves the feminine form and meaning.
Basilisa Name History & Origins
The Greek word basilissa was used both as a title and as a personal name in the early Christian Greek-speaking world. In the Byzantine Empire, basilissa was a title for an empress. Latin writers adopted the name as Basilissa, and it appears in early Christian calendars and martyrologies. The name is associated with early Christian saints called Basilissa, and it remained in use in Greek and Latin Christian traditions. In the Greek-speaking world it continued as Vasilissa; in Russian it became Vasilisa, a form familiar from folktales such as Vasilisa the Beautiful and Vasilisa the Wise. The spelling Basilisa is associated with Romance languages, particularly Spanish and Portuguese, where the Greek and Latin name was adapted to local sound and spelling patterns. Basilisa is distinct from the masculine name Basil, even though both trace back to the Greek root basileus; Basilisa developed from the feminine basilissa rather than from the male name.
How Popular is the Name Basilisa?
Basilisa has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1929. Its best rank was #3,418 in 1929.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | #9,901 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1932 | #3,943 | 6 | 0.0006% |
| 1930 | #3,690 | 7 | 0.0006% |
| 1929 | #3,418 | 8 | 0.0007% |
| 1922 | #4,504 | 6 | 0.0005% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Most Popular Girl Names That Start with B
How the Name Basilisa Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You can go to great heights and equally great depths. You are emotional and fixed in your opinions. You are hospitable, sentimental, often psychic, sometimes moody. You are ruled by love and the lack of it and feel a need to be encouraged and appreciated. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
You desire to inspire and lead, to control other's affairs. You are giving, courageous and bold, action oriented,energetic and strong willed. You want to make a difference in the world, and this attitude often attracts you to cultural interests, politics, social issues, and the cultivation of your creative talents.
✦ Basilisa's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Basilisa's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.