boys' name · peaked 1921

Virgil

Every Virgil since 1880 — 73,453 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.511.5218801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#1,417
among boys
Babies in 2025
129
named Virgil
Peak year
1921
1,869 babies
All-time total
73,453
since 1880

The story of Virgil

Virgil is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,417 in 2025 with 129 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 73,453 American babies have been named Virgil. Its peak came in 1921, when 1,869 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Virgil stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Virgil year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 129 #1,417
2024 114 #1,550
2023 123 #1,471
2022 81 #1,937
2021 101 #1,657
2020 85 #1,787
2019 91 #1,735
2018 73 #2,014
2017 96 #1,660
2016 88 #1,762
2015 70 #2,052
2014 75 #1,943
2013 68 #2,018
2012 50 #2,516
2011 73 #1,925
2010 80 #1,830
2009 64 #2,141
2008 54 #2,404
2007 73 #1,948
2006 69 #1,966
2005 69 #1,868
2004 75 #1,714
2003 69 #1,761
2002 71 #1,680
2001 75 #1,599
2000 66 #1,723
1995 96 #1,186
1990 159 #807
1985 5 #12,450 147 #730
1980 6 #10,358 203 #617
1975 311 #452
1970 408 #397
1965 9 #4,819 503 #338
1960 9 #4,767 687 #296
1955 10 #4,058 699 #268
1950 13 #3,044 786 #234
1945 18 #2,055 845 #183
1940 16 #2,104 938 #166
1935 17 #2,000 1,104 #141
1930 31 #1,401 1,371 #128
1925 22 #1,890 1,503 #120
1920 57 #979 1,711 #101
1915 34 #1,188 1,376 #108
1910 18 #1,068 280 #111
1905 15 #1,009 226 #97
1900 16 #969 212 #111
1895 6 #1,585 146 #116
1890 5 #1,526 100 #142
1885 82 #165
1880 81 #164

Famous people named Virgil

  1. Virgil Writer · -70–-19
  2. Virgil Thomson Composer · 1896–1989
  3. Virgil Donati Musician · b. 1958
  4. Virgil Abloh Designer · b. 1980
  5. Virgil Widrich Film director · b. 1967

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Virgil in 2025?

Virgil ranked #1,417 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 129 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Virgil?

73,453 babies have been named Virgil in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Virgil most popular?

Virgil peaked in 1921, when 1,869 newborns received the name.

Is Virgil a boy or girl name?

Virgil is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 98% of babies with the name.

Is the name Virgil rising or falling?

Virgil is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Virgil?

Well-known people named Virgil include Virgil (writer), Virgil Thomson (composer), Virgil Donati (musician).

Names like Virgil

Compare Virgil with similar names →