Sebastian is a name of Latin origin, derived from the Latin word "sebastos," which means "venerable" or "revered." The name Sebastian was popularized by Saint Sebastian, an early Christian martyr who was venerated in the Catholic Church.
The name Sebastian has been used throughout history, with notable figures such as Sebastian I, a king of Portugal, and Sebastian of Sweden, a Swedish prince known for his conversion to Catholicism. In literature, Sebastian is also the protagonist's name in Thomas Mann's novel "Death in Venice."
Today, Sebastian remains a popular choice among parents, ranking consistently in the top 100 baby names in several countries around the world. Its popularity can be attributed to its classic yet timeless sound and its positive associations with figures from history and literature.
Overall, the name Sebastian carries a sense of tradition and dignity, reflecting its Latin origins and the revered figures who have borne this name throughout history.
The given statistics illustrate the trends of the name Sebastian in the United States from 1971 to 2023. During this period, the number of births with the name Sebastian has shown both consistency and fluctuations.
In the early years, the name's popularity was relatively low, with fewer than 22 births each year between 1971 and 1984. However, starting from 1985, there was a noticeable increase in the number of babies named Sebastian, with 13 births that year.
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw a further rise in popularity, with peaks in 1988 (26 births), 1989 (24 births), and a significant jump to 46 births in 1990. This trend continued throughout the 1990s, with consistent increases year after year.
The peak of Sebastian's popularity occurred between 2000 and 2007, with over 150 births each year during this period. The highest point was reached in 2006, with 171 births.
However, from the mid-2000s onwards, there has been a decline in popularity for the name Sebastian, with fewer than 150 births per year since 2008. Despite this decrease, Sebastian remains a popular choice, with over 90 births each year from 2017 to 2023.
In total, according to these statistics, there have been 3911 babies named Sebastian born in the United States between 1971 and 2023. These figures demonstrate that while Sebastian's popularity has fluctuated over time, it has remained a widely chosen name for boys during this period.