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Basileios

Basileios is a masculine given name of Greek origin. It is derived from basileus, the ancient Greek word for king or emperor, and is the source of the English name Basil. The form is common in Byzantine and modern Greek usage, and has given rise to various modern adaptations such as Vasilios or Vasilis in Greek, with female forms including Vasiliki.

Historically, Basileios has been borne by several prominent figures. Basileios I (867–886) was the founder of

In contemporary contexts, Basileios is used in Greece and among Greek-speaking communities, with modern forms such

Variants and related forms span languages and cultures, including Basil in English, Basilio in Spanish and

See also: Basileus, the title from which Basileios is derived, and Basil (disambiguation) for related given names

the
Macedonian
dynasty
and
a
key
figure
in
restoring
Byzantine
power.
Basileios
II
Bulgaroktonos
(r.
976–1025),
known
as
the
Bulgar
Slayer,
was
one
of
Byzantium’s
most
successful
emperors.
The
name
is
also
associated
with
Saint
Basil
the
Great
(c.
330–379),
a
bishop
of
Caesarea
and
a
Father
of
the
Church
who
organized
monastic
life
and
influenced
Christian
theology.
as
Vasileios
or
Vasilis.
The
name
day
for
Basil/Basileios
is
typically
celebrated
on
January
1
in
honor
of
Saint
Basil
the
Great.
Italian,
and
Vasiliy
in
Russian.
The
root
basileus
continues
to
appear
in
modern
Greek
as
a
title
meaning
king
or
sovereign,
linking
the
name
to
a
long
historical
tradition.
and
uses.