Sebastian is a name of Latin origin, derived from the Latin word "sebastos," which means "venerable" or "revered." It was originally used as an adjective to describe someone who was worthy of being venerated.
The name Sebastian has been popular throughout history and across various cultures. In ancient Rome, it was often given to soldiers who were considered heroes and worthy of admiration. In the Middle Ages, Saint Sebastian became a popular figure in Christian art and literature, which helped to further spread the use of the name.
In many languages, the name Sebastian is associated with positive connotations such as strength, courage, and nobility. It has been worn by numerous historical figures throughout history, including several saints, kings, and prominent political figures.
Today, Sebastian remains a popular given name for boys in many parts of the world. Its timeless appeal lies in its strong and noble connotations, making it a classic choice for parents looking for a name that will stand the test of time.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Sebastian has seen a varied trend of popularity in the United States over the past century.
In the early to mid-20th century, from 1928 to 1961, Sebastian was given to around five babies per year. This number remained relatively stable for about three decades before beginning to fluctuate more significantly in the late 1980s and 1990s.
From 1989 onwards, the popularity of the name Sebastian began to increase steadily, reaching a peak of 49 births in the year 2000. This marked a significant jump from previous years, indicating that Sebastian was becoming more favored among parents during this time.
The trend continued into the early 2000s, with the number of babies named Sebastian ranging between 36 and 47 per year from 2001 to 2005. However, after 2005, the popularity of the name began to decrease gradually, fluctuating between 26 and 32 births annually until 2009.
From 2010 onwards, the number of babies named Sebastian has varied but generally remained stable, with an average of around 25 births per year. The most recent data from 2022 shows that Sebastian was given to 21 newborns in the United States.
In total, over the past century (from 1928 to 2023), there have been 897 babies named Sebastian born in the United States. This statistic demonstrates that while Sebastian may not have been one of the most popular names throughout history, it has nevertheless maintained a consistent presence among American baby names.