"from Sebastia"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Sebastian
Pronunciation: [ s-uhb-ASCH-uhn ]
Does Sebastian flow with your last name?
Ancient Roman elegance with timeless global appeal
English
Spanish
German
French
Polish
Elegant
Classic
Sophisticated
Literary
Royal
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Sebastian
4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"man from Sebaste"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
"from Sebastia, venerable"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
"revered, worthy of respect"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
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The Story of Sebastian
Sebastian comes from the Latin Sebastianus, itself derived from the Greek Sebastos, meaning venerable or revered — the Greek equivalent of the Latin Augustus. The name originally referred to someone from Sebastia, an ancient city in what is now Turkey. Saint Sebastian, a Roman soldier martyred around 288 CE for his Christian faith, cemented the name's place in Western culture for centuries.
Sebastian has climbed steadily in the US since the 1990s, cracking the top 20 by the 2010s. The Little Mermaid's beloved crab Sebastian introduced it to a generation of children in 1989, while the Cruel Intentions character Sebastian Valmont gave it a sophisticated, slightly dangerous edge for a different generation.
Saint Sebastian is one of the most depicted figures in Renaissance and Baroque art, typically shown bound and pierced with arrows. He is the patron saint of athletes, soldiers, and those suffering from plague. The name remains popular across Catholic Europe and Latin America.
Historical Record
Sebastian first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 205,802 babies have been named Sebastian in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Sebastian is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #14 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saint Sebastian survived being shot with arrows, only to be beaten to death later — making him one of the few twice-martyred saints
- Sebastian is consistently one of the most popular names in Chile and Argentina
- The name appears in Shakespeare's The Tempest and Twelfth Night
Sebastian in Other Languages
French
Sébastien
German
Sebastian
Polish
Sebastian
Italian
Sebastiano
Russian
Себастьян
Spanish
Sebastián
Popularity Over Time
#14
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Sebastian
S
S
Sebastian Stan
Actor
1982
Romanian-American actor known for playing Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier in Marvel films
J
Johann Sebastian Bach
Musician
1685
German Baroque composer and organist, one of the greatest composers in Western musical tradition
S
Sebastian (The Little Mermaid) Fictional
Other
Beloved red crab and royal court composer in Disney's The Little Mermaid (1989)
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Compare Sebastian with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #14
- Total SSA Count
- 8,562
- Cultural Origins
- English Spanish German French Polish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Seb
Baz
Bash
Bastian
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Sebastian
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Sebastian is also used as a girl name, ranked #6307.
View Sebastian as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Old French origin
"cart driver, transporter of goods"
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"one who is celebrated"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sebastian
What does the name Sebastian mean?
"from Sebastia" (from Latin). "man from Sebaste" (from Greek). "from Sebastia, venerable" (from Latin). "revered, worthy of respect" (from Greek). Sebastian comes from the Latin Sebastianus, itself derived from the Greek Sebastos, meaning venerable or revered — the Greek equivalent of the Latin Augustus. The name originally referred to someone from Sebastia, an ancient city in what is now Turkey. Saint Sebastian, a Roman soldier martyred around 288 CE for his Christian faith, cemented the name's place in Western culture for centuries.
What is the origin of the name Sebastian?
Sebastian has Latin, Greek, English, Spanish, German, French, and Polish origins. In Latin, it means "from Sebastia". In Greek, it means "man from Sebaste". In Latin, it means "from Sebastia, venerable". In Greek, it means "revered, worthy of respect".
Is Sebastian a boy or girl name?
Sebastian is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #14. As a girl name, it is ranked #6307. Sebastian is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Sebastian?
Sebastian is pronounced s-uhb-ASCH-uhn.
How popular is the name Sebastian?
Sebastian is currently ranked #14 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Sebastian?
Common nicknames for Sebastian include Seb, Baz, Bash, and Bastian.
What are good middle names for Sebastian?
Popular middle name pairings include Sebastian James, Sebastian Alexander, Sebastian Cole, Sebastian Grey, Sebastian Patrick, Sebastian Ray, and Sebastian Hugh.
What are good sibling names for Sebastian?
Names that pair well with Sebastian as siblings include Olivia, Valentina, Maximilian, Eleanor, Isadora, Julian, and Arabella.
How many syllables does Sebastian have?
Sebastian has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Sebastian a common or rare name?
Sebastian is a very popular name, ranked #14 among boy names in the United States.
What boy names are similar to Sebastian?
Are there other spellings for Sebastian?
Related spellings include Sebastien.
About the Name Sebastian
Sebastian is a boy name with English, Spanish, German, French, and Polish origins . The name means "from Sebastia" in Latin .
Is Sebastian a boy or girl name? Sebastian is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #14 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #6,307. Sebastian is more commonly used as a boy name.
Sebastian is currently ranked #14 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Sebastian has 4 syllables and is pronounced s-uhb-ASCH-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Sebastian include Seb, Baz, Bash, and Bastian. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Sebastian include Sebastien . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis