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Sebastian

/sə-BAS-chən/

Sebastian is a boy name of Greek origin, meaning From Sebaste; venerable.

  • GenderBoy
  • OriginGreek
  • StyleModern
  • Syllables3
  • US rank#19

What does Sebastian mean?

From Sebaste; venerable

From the Latin Sebastianus, "from Sebaste", a city in Asia Minor whose name comes from the Greek sebastos, "venerable" - itself the Greek translation of the imperial title Augustus.

The story behind the name

Saint Sebastian was a Roman soldier martyred under Diocletian. The scene of his execution by archers became one of the most painted subjects in Western art, and he was invoked for centuries as a protector against plague.

The name is a mainstay in German, Polish, Spanish and Scandinavian naming. In English it carried a faintly literary air for most of the twentieth century - Brideshead Revisited, The Little Mermaid - before becoming a mainstream top-twenty choice in the United States in the 2020s.

Notable people named Sebastian

  • Saint Sebastian
  • Johann Sebastian Bach, composer
  • Sebastian Vettel, racing driver

How popular is Sebastian?

Popularity in the United States

Sebastian has been given to 173,734 babies in the United States since 1881, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

About 1 in 185 babies born in the United States were given this name in the most recent year on record.

05,15310,305188119502020
Babies named Sebastian per year in the United States, 1881–2020. Source: Social Security Administration

Popularity in France

Sebastian has been given to 1,669 babies in France since 1900, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

03162190019612022
Babies named Sebastian per year in France, 1900–2022. Source: INSEE

Popularity in Spain

There are 42,986 people called Sebastian living in Spain, with an average age of 49.9.

173,734 Babies named since 1881
2010s Peak decade
Rising Recent trend

Variants and related names

Other spellings: Sebastián, Sebastiaan, Bastian, Sebastien

Related names: Bastian, Sebastiaan, Sabastian, Augustus

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Frequently asked questions about Sebastian

What does the name Sebastian mean?

Sebastian means From Sebaste; venerable. It is of Greek origin.

Is Sebastian a boy's or a girl's name?

Sebastian is most often given to boys.

How do you pronounce Sebastian?

Sebastian is pronounced sə-BAS-chən.

How popular is the name Sebastian?

Sebastian has been given to 173,734 babies in the United States since 1881, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

What are other spellings of Sebastian?

Common variants include Sebastián, Sebastiaan, Bastian, Sebastien.