Sebastian - Name Meaning and Origin

The boy's name Sebastian \s(e)-bas-tian, seb(a)-stian\ is pronounced se-BASS-tian. It is of Greek origin, and its meaning is "revered". The original form of this name referred to those from a particular city or region of Asia minor, whose Greek name was from the Latin imperial title "Augustus". Saint Sebastian, who probably was a native of that place, was a third-century martyred centurion who became patron saint of soldiers. Shakespeare gave the name to the twin brother of Viola in "Twelfth Night". British use since the 1940s may have been influenced by a character in Evelyn Waugh's popular "Brideshead Revisited". Sebastien is popular in France. Track star Sebastian Coe.

Sebastian has 8 variant forms: Bastian, Bastien, Sabastian, Seb, Sebastiano, Sebastien, Sebestyen and Sebo.

Sebastian is a common male first name and a very popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the boy's name Sebastian. Click here to compare Sebastian with related baby names.