Sebastian

What does Sebastian mean?

Sebastian comes from a Greek adjective meaning venerable, originally used for someone from the city of Sebastia. The place name itself conveyed respect and honour, so the given name carries a sense of dignity and age.

As a personal name Sebastian feels classic and slightly romantic. It is often associated with artistic and literary figures, gentle strength, and a timeless European charm. Forms such as Bastian and Sebastiano share the same sense of warmth and gravitas, but Sebastian in full tends to feel polished and confident.

Historical Context

The name Sebastian goes back to the Greek adjective sebastos, which means venerable or revered. In ancient use it was applied to people from Sebastia, a city in Asia Minor. The Latinised form Sebastianus appears in early Christian records and became linked to Saint Sebastian, a third century martyr who was widely venerated in medieval Europe.

Through the church and through European languages the name developed several regional forms, such as Sebastien in French, Sebastiano in Italian and Sebastian in Spanish. It retained steady popularity because of the saintly association and because the sound suited a range of cultures. In modern times it has been kept alive by writers, composers and public figures, giving it both a literary and contemporary appeal.

Popularity of Sebastian over time

In 2025, Sebastian was given to 1,077 boys in the UK and 8,605 boys in the US. Sebastian has risen sharply over the last 20 years, and is now a popular boys' name especially in the US.

What do parents think of Sebastian?