Virgil
Boy name · #1409 in 2025 · Rare
How old is the name Virgil? In official American birth records, Virgil has been tracked continuously since 1880, giving it 145 years of documented American history.
In 2025, 129 baby boys were named Virgil, placing it at #1409 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #2036, so the name has been rising over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 13,953 boys born in 2025 was named Virgil.
The 145-year story
Virgil first appears in the Social Security records in 1880, when 81 boys received the name. Its peak came in 1921, when 1,830 boys were named Virgil — good for #98 that year. Today's parents encounter it as a name from their grandparents’ generation, which is precisely the vintage window from which names get revived. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Babies named Virgil per year. Source: Official national birth records.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Virgil against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Virgil in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Virgil is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "rare". A high score means genuine rarity — your Virgil will likely be the only one in the room, with the occasional spelling-out as the price.
Where Virgil is most common
State-level data for Virgil is too sparse in 2025 to rank by rate — in most states its count falls below the SSA's per-state reporting threshold (counts under 5 are withheld).
Names like Virgil
Statistically, parents drawn to Virgil tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Cecil, Vernon, Luther, Milton, and Lester.
CecilVernonLutherMiltonLesterArnoldErnestEarl
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Virgil | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 129 | #1409 |
| 2024 | 114 | #1540 |
| 2023 | 123 | #1465 |
| 2022 | 81 | #1917 |
| 2021 | 101 | #1645 |
| 2020 | 85 | #1778 |
| 2019 | 91 | #1723 |
| 2018 | 73 | #1994 |
| 2017 | 96 | #1644 |
| 2016 | 88 | #1754 |
| 2015 | 70 | #2036 |
| 2014 | 75 | #1920 |
| 2013 | 68 | #2009 |
| 2012 | 50 | #2488 |
| 2011 | 73 | #1905 |
| 2010 | 80 | #1816 |
| 2009 | 64 | #2119 |
| 2008 | 54 | #2374 |
| 2007 | 73 | #1928 |
| 2006 | 69 | #1943 |
| 2005 | 69 | #1854 |
| 2004 | 75 | #1701 |
| 2003 | 69 | #1749 |
| 2002 | 71 | #1660 |
| 2001 | 75 | #1591 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Virgil?
In official American birth records, the name Virgil first appeared in 1880 (over 145 years ago), when 81 newborn boys received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
Is Virgil a popular boy name?
Virgil ranked #1409 among boys in 2025 with 129 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #2036.
When was the name Virgil most popular?
Virgil peaked in 1921, when 1,830 American boys received the name (ranked #98 that year). Since 1921 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Virgil?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 13,953 newborn American boys was named Virgil. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "rare".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.