Vassiliki (given name)
Vasiliki (Greek: Βασιλική, romanized: Vasilikí), also spelled Vassiliki, is a Greek female given name. The male version of this name is Vasilios.
Etymology:
Vasi (in Greek, βάση) means base.
Ilios (in Greek, ήλιος) is the modern Greek word for the sun.
The ancient meaning, pre-Christianity, is base of the sun.
It has modern, regal connotations as well. The Greek word for Queen is βασίλισσα or Vasilissa and incidentally the Russian equivalent to the Greek Vasiliki is Vasilissa.
The other interesting thing about this name is that it is associated with a deliciously aromatic herb known also for its healing qualities. Basil, king of the herbs, which has the same etymology and written as βασιλικό, vasiliko.
Nicknames include Vaso, Vassy and Vicky as an anglicised version of the name.
In the Greek tradition name days are celebrated more than birthdays. New Years Eve or January 1st celebrates the name Vasiliki and in honour of St Basil in the Greek Orthodox Church.
A ‘vasilopita’ or a sweet regal cake similar to the French ‘galette des rois’ or king of cakes, is baked and a gold coin wrapped in foil is put into the batter. Superstition says whoever gets the slice with the coin will have much fortune!
The name Vasiliki in foreign countries
Russia: Vasilissa or Vasilina, Васили́на
France: Basilique
People
- Vasiliki Arvaniti (1985), Greek beach volleyball player
- Vaso Karantasiou (1973), Greek beach volleyball player
- Vicky Leandros (1949), Greek singer (born Vassiliki Papathanasiou)
- Vicky Moscholiou (1943–2005), Greek singer (born Vasiliki Moscholiou)
- Vasiliki Vougiouka (1986), Greek sabre fencer
- Vassy Kapelos (1981), Canadian political journalist
- Vasilina Makovtseva (1977) Russian film and theatre actress
Characters
- Vasiliki, played by Tamila Koulieva, in Vasiliki (film)