Sebastian

Sebastian Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

seh-BAS-chun

Meaning of Sebastian: Sebastian derives from Latin Sebastianus, meaning man from Sebaste. The city of Sebaste, modern Sivas in central Turkey, took its name from the Greek sebastos, meaning venerable or revered, a title applied to the Roman emperor Augustus and later to the city’s honorific status.

US Rank 2024

No. 14

Births

8,562

Peak Year

2022

Saint Sebastian was a 3rd-century Roman soldier, reportedly a member of the Praetorian Guard, who secretly converted to Christianity and aided imprisoned Christians. When his faith was discovered, Emperor Diocletian ordered him shot with arrows. He survived, confronted the emperor, and was then beaten to death around 288 CE.

His martyrdom made Sebastian one of the most depicted saints in Western art, particularly during the Italian Renaissance. Artists including Botticelli, Mantegna, and Titian painted his arrow-pierced figure, cementing the name’s visual presence in European cultural memory for centuries.

What Does Sebastian Mean? Origin & Etymology

Sebastian spread through Catholic Europe via devotion to the saint and entered Protestant use later through literary and musical prestige. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750), one of the most celebrated composers in Western music, added the name profound artistic gravitas that persists into the present.

In the US, Sebastian entered the top 100 in 2000 and reached rank 14 in 2024 with 8,562 births. The SSA records shows consistent gains over two decades. The etymology records covers the Greek root and the saint’s hagiography in detail.

Name day: January 20

How Popular Is Sebastian?

Numerology & Symbolism of Sebastian

Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.

S(1) + E(5) + B(2) + A(1) + S(1) + T(2) + I(9) + A(1) + N(5) = 27 = 9

Destiny number

Compassion

Sum of all letters, reduced to a single digit

Soul urge

Understanding

Sum of vowels only - reveals inner desires

Expression

Sensitivity

Sum of consonants - how others perceive you

Letters 9

Vowels / consonants 4 / 5

Birthstone Garnet

Lucky color Gold

1 Leadership Independent, driven, original — the initiator who forges new paths.

2 Harmony Diplomatic and cooperative, thriving through partnership and balance.

3 Expression Creative and communicative, bringing joy through art and words.

4 Stability Disciplined and dependable, building lasting structures through hard work.

5 Freedom Adventurous and adaptable, drawn to change, travel, and new experiences.

6 Nurturing Caring and responsible, focused on home, family, and community.

7 Wisdom Analytical and introspective, seeking truth through study and reflection.

8 Ambition Authoritative and goal-oriented, excelling in business and material achievement.

9 Compassion Humanitarian and idealistic, driven by a desire to serve and uplift others.

11 Intuition Master number: heightened sensitivity and spiritual insight beyond the ordinary.

22 Master Builder Master number: visionary practicality that turns ambitious dreams into reality.

33 Master Teacher Master number: selfless guidance and healing offered for the good of all.

Sebastian – Similar Names & Alternatives

Theodore

From ancient Greek Theodōros: “theos” (god) + “dōron”…

Lucas

From Latin “Lucanus” meaning man from Lucania, via Greek…

Alexander

From Greek “alexein” (to defend) + “aner” (man), meaning…

Luke

From Latin “Lucanus” meaning man from Lucania, a region of…

victory of the people

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Frequently Asked Questions about Sebastian

What does Sebastian mean?

Sebastian means venerable or man from Sebaste, from Latin Sebastianus and Greek Sebastos (revered). The city of Sebaste (modern Sivas, Turkey) gave the name its geographic origin.

What is the origin of Sebastian?

Sebastian derives from Latin Sebastianus. Saint Sebastian (died c. 288) established it in Catholic Europe. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) gave it German cultural prestige. The US revival began around 2000.

How popular is Sebastian in the US?

Sebastian ranks 14 for boys in the US as of 2024, per SSA data. It entered the top 20 in 2012. Sebastian is also popular in Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, and Latin America.

What are variants of Sebastian?

Variants include Sebastián (Spanish), Sebastiano (Italian), Bastian (German short form), Seb (English nickname), and Bastien (French). Sebastian is used consistently across Romance and Germanic languages.

Is Sebastian more popular for girls or boys?

Sebastian is given predominantly to boys. It ranks 14 for boys in the US in 2024 and does not appear in the top 1000 girls’ names.

Sebastian – Name Variants & Spellings

Variant	Language
Sabastian	English spelling variant
Sebastien	French
Bastien	French short form
Bastian	German/Spanish short form
Sebestyen	Hungarian
Sebastiano	Italian

AK No. 100 AL No. 95 AR No. 28 AZ No. 6 CA No. 5 CO No. 14 CT No. 38 DC No. 49 DE No. 36 FL No. 14 GA No. 52 HI No. 168 IA No. 49 ID No. 38 IL No. 13 IN No. 41 KS No. 62 KY No. 73 LA No. 87 MA No. 54 MD No. 67 ME No. 132 MI No. 69 MN No. 62 MO No. 73 MS No. 203 MT No. 143 NC No. 26 ND No. 126 NE No. 45 NH No. 157 NJ No. 22 NM No. 10 NV No. 4 NY No. 36 OH No. 83 OK No. 43 OR No. 11 PA No. 71 RI No. 18 SC No. 62 SD No. 112 TN No. 74 TX No. 5 UT No. 59 VA No. 54 VT No. 121 WA No. 34 WI No. 51 WV No. 121 WY No. 61