"from Sebaste, revered, venerable"
Origin: Greek/Latin
Language: Greek
Sebastian
Pronunciation: [ s-uhb-ASCH-uhn ]
Does Sebastian flow with your last name?
A classical name of reverence crossing the gender divide
English
Spanish
French
German
Scandinavian
Classic
Sophisticated
Literary
Bold
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"majestic, worthy of reverence"
Origin: Latin (sebastos)
Language: Latin
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The Story of Sebastian
Sebastian derives from the Latin name Sebastianus, which came from the Greek Sebastianos meaning 'from Sebaste' — a city in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) whose name itself came from the Greek word 'sebastos' meaning 'revered' or 'venerable.' The name became widespread through Saint Sebastian, a 3rd-century Roman martyr. While traditionally male, Sebastian is increasingly being adopted as a bold, gender-expansive choice for girls.
Sebastian has consistently ranked in the top 20 boys' names in the US in recent years, driven by its elegant sound and cultural associations with music (J.S. Bach, Sebastian Vettel). Its use for girls reflects the growing trend of traditionally masculine names crossing to feminine use, following names like James, Elliott, and Sawyer.
Saint Sebastian, pierced by arrows yet surviving, became a symbol of Christian endurance and is patron of soldiers and athletes. Johann Sebastian Bach made the name synonymous with musical genius. In French, the feminine form Sébastienne exists, lending the name natural gender flexibility.
Historical Record
Sebastian first appeared in US Social Security records in 1980.
Over 398 babies have been named Sebastian in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Sebastian is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #6,307 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Sebastian is the name of a beloved Disney character — the Jamaican crab in 'The Little Mermaid'
- Johann Sebastian Bach had 20 children, making the name particularly associated with prolific creativity
Sebastian in Other Languages
French
Sébastien/Sébastienne
German
Sebastian
Italian
Sebastiano
Spanish
Sebastián/Sebastiana
Portuguese
Sebastião
Popularity Over Time
#6,307
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #6,307
- Total SSA Count
- 19
- Cultural Origins
- English Spanish French German Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Seb
Baz
Bastian
Seba
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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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 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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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Sebastian
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Sebastian is also used as a boy name, ranked #14.
View Sebastian as a boy name →Similar Names
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American English origin
"jazz + lovely (modern construction)"
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"bright, shining one"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sebastian
What does the name Sebastian mean?
"from Sebaste, revered, venerable" (from Greek/Latin). "majestic, worthy of reverence" (from Latin (sebastos)). Sebastian derives from the Latin name Sebastianus, which came from the Greek Sebastianos meaning 'from Sebaste' — a city in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) whose name itself came from the Greek word 'sebastos' meaning 'revered' or 'venerable.' The name became widespread through Saint Sebastian, a 3rd-century Roman martyr. While traditionally male, Sebastian is increasingly being adopted as a bold, gender-expansive choice for girls.
What is the origin of the name Sebastian?
Sebastian has Greek/Latin, Latin (sebastos), English, Spanish, French, German, and Scandinavian origins. In Greek/Latin, it means "from Sebaste, revered, venerable". In Latin (sebastos), it means "majestic, worthy of reverence".
Is Sebastian a boy or girl name?
Sebastian is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #6307. As a boy name, it is ranked #14. 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 #6307 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Sebastian?
Common nicknames for Sebastian include Seb, Baz, Bastian, and Seba.
What are good middle names for Sebastian?
Popular middle name pairings include Sebastian Rose, Sebastian Grace, Sebastian Jade, Sebastian Blair, Sebastian Quinn, and Sebastian Wren.
What are good sibling names for Sebastian?
Names that pair well with Sebastian as siblings include Maximus, Theodore, Atticus, Celeste, Vivienne, and Jasper.
How many syllables does Sebastian have?
Sebastian has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Sebastian a common or rare name?
Sebastian is an uncommon name, ranked #6307 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Sebastian
Sebastian is a girl name with English, Spanish, French, German, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "from Sebaste, revered, venerable" in Greek/Latin .
Is Sebastian a boy or girl name? Sebastian is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #6,307 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #14. Sebastian is more commonly used as a boy name.
Sebastian is currently ranked #6,307 in popularity for girl 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, Bastian, and Seba. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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