Sebastian Name Meaning – What Does The Name Sebastian Mean?

What does the name Sebastian Mean? In this quick guide, we will explore the origin, history, popularity, and meaning of the name Sebastian. 

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Meaning of The Name Sebastian

Sebastian is a masculine given name derived from the Latin word Sebastianus, which means “from Sebastia,” a Greek town in Anatolia (modern-day Sivas in Turkey). The name is most commonly associated with Saint Sebastian, a 3rd century Christian martyr; however, the origin and meaning of the name are much older.

The first known mention of a character named Sebastian comes from Pliny the Elder’s Natural History (77CE).

He writes about King Mausolus of Caria, who adopted an obscure nobleman named Versibar as his son and advisor. The new prince was given the Greek title Sebastokrator (“ruler over all”) and this eventually evolved into Sebastian or Sebastos in Latin.

The name quickly caught on among classical writers and through medieval writers by way of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. It was also used in literature by William Shakespeare, who wrote at least four plays featuring characters with the title “Sebastian”.

Over time, other forms of the name emerged such as Sabastian or Sabastio. In modern times, Sebastian has been used widely as a given name for many types of people. While it is popular among Christians for its association with Saint Sebastian and its religious significance , it has also gained popularity within European countries for its strong literary symbolism.

It can also be used to honor well-known figures such as German astronomer Johannes Kepler who had a son named after him – Johannes Kepler Junior started out life as “Sebastian”.

History and Origin of The Name Sebastian

The name Sebastian is of Latin origin, meaning “from Sebaste”, and is derived from the Greek name Sebastos. One of the earliest records of the name dates back to the 3rd century AD, when it was used by early Christians in Greece and Italy.

In Roman folklore, Saint Sebastian was a soldier who, for refusing to deny his Christian faith, was beaten and eventually martyred by Diocletian in 286 AD. This story helped establish him as a key figure in popular Christian culture and secured Sebastian’s place as a symbol of heroic martyrdom.

Sebastian first spread from Italy to France, where it became one of the most common names through 19th century French literature. It gained international recognition with its popularity in England among British royalty centuries later.

The name continued to grow in popularity in France until the 20th century when it gradually spread to other European countries such as Germany, Scandinavia, Holland and Poland. It is now a popular choice throughout much of modern Europe and has become especially popular among Irish and Latin American families over recent years.

Gender of The Name Sebastian

Although the name Sebastian is commonly associated with males, it is used for both genders in many countries and cultures. In France and Italy, it is considered a masculine name, while in the United States and in some other English-speaking countries, it has been traditionally used for boys but more recently is being given to girls as well.

In the United States, Sebastian’s gender usage peaked in 1899 when it was given to nearly 20% of all baby boys born that year. That figure fell off to about 4-5% of baby boys in recent years before moving back up slightly starting around 2015. Since then, more than 6% of all baby boys born have been named Sebastian.

For girls, this trend started even later— 2014 or 2015 depending on which study you look at— but since then roughly 1% or 2% of newborn girls have been named Sebastian each year.

Though its usage as a girl’s name has yet to reach the heights achieved by many other popular unisex names such as Charlie or Logan, there are some signs pointing towards a resurgence in popularity among female babies being named Sebastian soon.

Popularity of The Name Sebastian

The name Sebastian has been an enduring favorite since the early days of the Christian church, due to its classical origin and association with classic stories, poetry and literature. Although at one time a common name given to Roman Catholic boys, in recent years its popularity has declined somewhat.

Today, the name Sebastian is ranked 189th among the nation’s top 1000 male baby names, according to Babycenter data released in 2018. Ten years prior it was ranked 146th.

Of course, popularity is just one gauge of success when selecting a unique and meaningful baby name for your child – so although Sebastian may no longer be among America’s top-ranking choices, its timeless meaning makes it an excellent choice for any baby boy.

Variations of The Name Sebastian

There are several variations of the name Sebastian that have developed over time. These include Bastian, Sebastianus, Bastien, Sabastian, Sabastiano, Sebestyen, Sebastiano and Sebestyen. Other variations of the name are Bisztian in the Hungarian language and Sevasti in the Greek language, both of which are roughly translated to mean “venerable” or “revered”.

Possible nicknames for Sebastian include Bazza or Baz; many of these nicknames also work well with variants such as Seb or Basti. Additionally, some variations are used as a feminine form of the name; Sebastienne is one example.

Famous People Named Sebastian in History

The name Sebastian has a long and colorful history. In classical Latin, it means “venerable” but its popularity began to rise more recently because of the saint and martyr St. Sebastian, who was martyred in the 3rd century.

Popularized by Shakespeare in his plays, the name also bore a special significance to author J. R. R. Tolkien as it was a derivation of his own middle name, Reuel – “servant of God”.

Throughout the centuries the names has been given to many people who have gone on to become renowned figures in their respective fields:

• Sebastian Vettel (German Formula One driver)
• Sebastian Bach (German composer)
• Sebastian Stenroos (Finnish hurdler)
• Sebastian Coe (British middle distance runner and four time Olympic gold medalist)
• Sebastian Faulks (British novelist)
• Sebastian Gorka (former deputy assistant to US President Donald Trump)
• Kamal Haasan (Indian actor and director)
• Sebastião Salgado (Photographer & human rights activist from Brazil)

Pronunciation of The Name Sebastian

The name Sebastian is typically pronounced Sə-bas-chən. It is a masculine name of Latin origin and the meaning of this name is “venerable” or “revered”.

The name was among the most popular names for boys in Europe and America during the 1990s and 2000s, but it was not until 2018 that it returned to being one of the top 10 most popular names in many countries around the world.

The origin of Sebastian is Latin, and it is related to the Greek Sebastos, meaning ‘venerable’ or ‘revered’. It is also connected to the Greek Sebastianos, which was derived from an ancient Semitic phrase that referred to a person who had been blessed by God or given spiritual knowledge or power.

The name Sebastian can also be spelled in many different ways such as Sebestyán, Sybastian, Sefastián and Sebastien. There are several spelling variations for this masculine name such as Sebastiano, Sevastyano, Sebayano, Sebestyano and Subestiano.

Numerology of The Name Sebastian

Numerology is a practice of interpreting the meaning and importance of numbers in everyday life. It is believed that the numerological value of one’s name can indicate their potential, talents and even destiny. The numerological value derived from the letters of someone’s name is referred to as a ‘name number’.

The name Sebastian contains 8 letters which correspond to 6 numerological energies. These energy vibrations each have an assigned meaning based on their associated frequency.

The name number for Sebastian is 8; the numerical value associated with the letter S (1+5+2+1+2+1=12, 1+2 = 3) contributes 3 vibrations to this total, followed by the number 5 (represents individualism) from the letter E (5) and number 4 from B (2+2 = 4).

When calculating how these energy shifts affect a name, we look at them in two different ways— internally and externally – and assign meanings accordingly. Internally, a person with this name can expect to receive powerful influences related to business success, personal evolution and self-fulfillment.

Externally they may attract situations related to fortune or karma depending on their thoughts and actions towards others throughout life. With a numeric vibration such as 8 appearing here, potential challenges in achieving complete satisfaction can occur due to changes that are experienced both internally and externally over time.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Name Sebastian

Frequently asked questions about the name Sebastian can help you to understand the origin, meaning and popularity of this name. Below is a list of some common questions that we hear about the name Sebastian.

What Does My Name Mean?

The name Sebastian is derived from the Greek word “Sebastos”, meaning “revered” or “majestic”. It has been considered an honorific title and one of the most respected names in Greece since ancient times.

Who Is Associated With The Name Sebastien?

The Roman boy-catcher Saint Sebastian was martyred in 296 AD. He is sometimes credited as being the first patron saint of soldiers and athletes. Historically, the old Germanic kings tended to have Sebastians in their royal courts due to their prestigious names, typically followed by titles such as “duke‚ prince‚ or king”.

How Popular Is This Name?

The name currently ranks within the top 100 names for boys in countries like England, Ireland, Scotland and other parts of Europe as well as Australia & New Zealand. It also ranks high on many lists for immigrant families in North America over recent decades.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the name Sebastian is a strong and powerful name that has been around for centuries. It has strong connections to ancient Greece and Latin culture and can be seen in characters throughout literature and in the Bible.

It is a classic name that has been given to children of all ages, genders, races and religions. The meaning behind the name pays homage to Saint Sebastian, who bravely faced martyrdom for his faith. As an a unisex baby name, it works well for either gender, making it ideal for parents who are looking for something unique without having to resort to gender stereotypes.

No matter what your religion or cultural background may be, the strong presence of Saint Sebastian makes Sebastian a timeless choice that will carry on through generations with meaning and power.