Sebastian Boy

Popularity: #16 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: se-BAS-tyan //səˈbæstʃən//

Origin: Latin; Greek

Meaning: Latin: 'venerable'; Greek: 'from Sebastia'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Sebastian has its roots in the Greek name Sebastianos, which is derived from the Greek word "sebastos," meaning "venerable" or "revered." This term itself is a translation of the Latin "augustus," a title used by Roman emperors, signifying a sense of dignity and respect. The name was introduced into Latin as Sebastianus, which later evolved into various forms in different languages, including the Old French "Sebastien" and the Italian "Sebastiano," before making its way into English as Sebastian during the Middle Ages.

Historically, the name gained prominence due to Saint Sebastian, a Christian martyr who was executed in the 3rd century CE. His story is recounted in various hagiographies, and he became a popular figure in Christian art and literature, often depicted tied to a tree and shot with arrows.

The veneration of Saint Sebastian spread throughout Europe, particularly during the Renaissance, when his image symbolized endurance and faith. His feast day is celebrated on January 20, further solidifying the name's significance in Christian tradition.

In addition to its religious connotations, the name Sebastian has been associated with various cultural figures throughout history, including notable artists and writers. The name appears in works of literature, such as Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," where one of the main characters is named Sebastian, contributing to its cultural resonance.

The name has also been linked to themes of nobility and valor, often embodying qualities admired in various cultures. Its enduring presence in different languages and cultures underscores its historical and symbolic importance, making it a name rich in heritage.

Famous people named Sebastian

In this section, you will find notable people named Sebastian. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Sebastian who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Sebastian who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Sebastian Bach is a singer best known for his work with Skid Row, as well as his solo career and appearances on Broadway.

Sebastian Stan is an actor best known for his roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I, Tonya, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Sebastian Vettel is a racing driver best known for his time in Formula One, winning multiple World Championships with Red Bull Racing.

Sebastian Junger is an author and journalist best known for his books The Perfect Storm, War, and Tribe.

Sebastian Coe is a former middle-distance runner best known for winning Olympic gold medals and for his role in athletics administration.

Fictional characters named Sebastian

The following list of fictional characters named Sebastian is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Sebastian is a fictional character from the animated film The Little Mermaid. He is a Caribbean crab who serves as a musical advisor and friend to Ariel, the mermaid princess.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Sebastian, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

AlexanderNicholasJulianMaximilianTheodoreGabriel

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Sebastian. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

SampsonSilasSimonSantiagoSullivanSorenSimeon

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Sebastian was first seen in the United States in 1881.

Sebastian has ranked as high as #40 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Sebastian has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Sebastian is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Sebastian was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Sebastian.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 8,615 8,605 10
2024 8,612 8,593 19
2023 8,907 8,892 15
2022 9,408 9,403 5
2021 8,944 8,932 12
2020 9,036 9,029 7
2019 9,898 9,884 14
2018 10,148 10,137 11
2017 10,210 10,197 13
2016 10,325 10,309 16
2015 9,653 9,632 21
2014 9,325 9,315 10
2013 7,561 7,553 8
2012 6,757 6,744 13
2011 6,562 6,551 11
2010 6,372 6,366 6
2009 6,000 5,993 7
2008 6,054 6,041 13
2007 6,287 6,274 13
2006 6,305 6,287 18
2005 4,968 4,956 12
2004 4,546 4,521 25
2003 4,658 4,649 9
2002 5,156 5,137 19
2001 4,989 4,979 10
2000 5,038 5,029 9
1999 2,389 2,378 11
1998 1,704 1,697 7
1997 1,774 1,768 6
1996 1,595 1,590 5
1995 1,445 1,435 10
1994 1,311 1,304 7
1993 1,308 1,308 0
1992 1,304 1,296 8
1991 1,044 1,033 11
1990 790 790 0
1989 527 522 5
1988 404 397 7
1987 354 354 0
1986 281 281 0
1985 288 288 0
1984 242 242 0
1983 192 192 0
1982 220 220 0
1981 175 175 0
1980 173 168 5
1979 137 137 0
1978 143 143 0
1977 120 120 0
1976 124 124 0
1975 127 127 0
1974 125 125 0
1973 129 129 0
1972 155 155 0
1971 188 188 0
1970 165 165 0
1969 116 116 0
1968 116 116 0
1967 115 115 0
1966 99 99 0
1965 104 104 0
1964 129 129 0
1963 109 109 0
1962 151 151 0
1961 105 105 0
1960 69 69 0
1959 53 53 0
1958 63 63 0
1957 50 50 0
1956 42 42 0
1955 56 56 0
1954 47 47 0
1953 52 52 0
1952 51 51 0
1951 44 44 0
1950 42 42 0
1949 51 51 0
1948 70 70 0
1947 56 56 0
1946 55 55 0
1945 47 47 0
1944 47 47 0
1943 60 60 0
1942 77 77 0
1941 60 60 0
1940 51 51 0
1939 53 53 0
1938 65 65 0
1937 62 62 0
1936 65 65 0
1935 79 79 0
1934 81 81 0
1933 75 75 0
1932 87 87 0
1931 94 94 0
1930 113 113 0
1929 97 97 0
1928 128 128 0
1927 104 104 0
1926 131 131 0
1925 108 108 0
1924 137 137 0
1923 130 130 0
1922 127 127 0
1921 130 130 0
1920 139 139 0
1919 126 126 0
1918 114 114 0
1917 122 122 0
1916 134 134 0
1915 112 112 0
1914 82 82 0
1913 63 63 0
1912 51 51 0
1911 20 20 0
1910 14 14 0
1909 14 14 0
1908 15 15 0
1907 12 12 0
1906 5 5 0
1905 10 10 0
1904 9 9 0
1903 11 11 0
1902 5 5 0
1901 8 8 0
1899 6 6 0
1898 8 8 0
1896 5 5 0
1895 8 8 0
1894 5 5 0
1892 11 11 0
1889 6 6 0
1886 7 7 0
1885 5 5 0
1882 10 10 0
1881 6 6 0

Top States for Sebastian (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 1,788
21%
TX 1,564
18%
FL 629
7%
NY 391
5%
IL 336
4%
AZ 311
4%
NC 261
3%
NJ 254
3%
GA 188
2%
CO 178
2%
PA 172
2%
WA 152
2%
VA 147
2%
OH 139
2%
IN 137
2%
MI 129
2%
NV 122
1%
OR 116
1%
TN 114
1%
MA 112
1%
WI 92
1%
MN 87
1%
MO 84
1%
MD 84
1%
SC 78
1%
CT 76
1%
OK 74
1%
KY 69
1%
AR 69
1%
UT 68
1%
NM 61
1%
AL 59
1%
IA 56
1%
LA 54
1%
KS 50
1%
ID 44
1%
NE 41
0%
RI 29
0%
DE 20
0%
DC 18
0%
WV 17
0%
MS 16
0%
SD 12
0%
ND 10
0%
ME 10
0%
NH 9
0%
AK 9
0%
MT 9
0%
HI 7
0%