Zebastian Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: zeh-BAS-tee-an //zəˈbæstɪən//
Origin: Hebrew; Latin; Spanish
Meaning: God has sworn (Hebrew); variant of Sebastian (Latin); related to Sebastiano (Spanish)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Zebastian is derived from the Latin name Sebastianus, which itself originates from the Greek name Sebastianos (Σεπαστιανός). The Greek term is a derivative of the word sebastos (σεβαστός), meaning "venerable" or "revered," which is a translation of the Latin word Augustus, a title used by Roman emperors.
The name entered the English language through the Old French form Sébastien, which was adopted during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, leading to its integration into Middle English as Sebastian. Historically, the name gained prominence due to Saint Sebastian, a Christian martyr who is believed to have died in the 3rd century CE during the reign of Emperor Diocletian.
His story is recounted in various hagiographies, and he became a popular figure in Christian art and literature, particularly during the Renaissance. The veneration of Saint Sebastian contributed to the name's spread across Europe, especially in Catholic regions, where his feast day is celebrated on January 20.
The name also appears in various historical texts and translations, including the King James Bible, which helped solidify its presence in English-speaking cultures. Culturally, the name Zebastian, along with its variants, has been associated with qualities of strength, resilience, and reverence, reflecting the characteristics attributed to Saint Sebastian.
The name has also been linked to themes of martyrdom and sacrifice, resonating within Christian traditions. In some contexts, diminutive forms such as Seb or Bas have emerged, further enriching the name's cultural tapestry.
Overall, Zebastian carries a legacy that intertwines linguistic evolution, historical significance, and cultural resonance, marking its place in the annals of name history.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Zebastian, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Zebastian was first seen in the United States in 2000.
Zebastian has ranked as high as #1379 nationally, which occurred in 2014, and has been most popular in Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Zebastian has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Zebastian 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 Zebastian was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Zebastian (2017)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 6 |
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 Zebastian.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2014 | 16 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2000 | 6 |