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Zebastian

♂ Boy

Pronounced zuh-BAS-chun /zəˈbæs.tʃən/Medium

Meaning: A modern Z-spelling of Sebastian, from Latin Sebastianus, 'man of Sebaste' — a city whose name comes from Greek sebastos, 'venerable; august'. The name is carried by Saint Sebastian, a Roman martyr.Low

In 30 seconds: Sebastian with a Z: Zebastian means 'venerable; from Sebaste' (said 'zuh-BAS-chun').

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Origin MediumGreek, Latin

MeaningA modern Z-spelling of Sebastian, from Latin Sebastianus, 'man of Sebaste' — a city whose name comes from Greek sebastos, 'venerable; august'. The name is carried by Saint Sebastian, a Roman martyr.

U.S. rank (2024)#14211 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2014

Total births (all-time)≈ 201

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Zebastian is a modern spelling of Sebastian, from the Latin Sebastianus, 'man of Sebaste'. That city's name comes from the Greek sebastos, 'venerable; august', the Greek translation of the imperial title Augustus. Saint Sebastian, a Roman soldier and martyr, carried the name into wide Christian use. The Z-spelling is a recent American touch, which we note (said 'zuh-BAS-chun').

It appears only rarely for boys in the U.S., far behind Sebastian. Rare, respelled, and classical at the root.

Did you know? Sebastian goes back to the Greek word sebastos, 'venerable' — the Greek rendering of the Roman title Augustus — by way of a city named Sebaste.

Overall data confidence 48%

References — Zebastian — Sebastian respelling; Latin Sebastianus; Greek sebastos, 'venerable'

Variations

SebastianSebastienSebastiano

Nicknames

ZebBaz

Famous Bearers

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If you like Zebastian…

Sebastian— the standard spelling of the name

Bastian— the short form of the same name

Zander— a like Z- boys' pick

Julian— a like three-beat classic

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Zebastian mean?

Zebastian is a spelling of Sebastian, from Latin Sebastianus, 'man of Sebaste' — from Greek sebastos, 'venerable'.

How do you pronounce Zebastian?

It's said zuh-BAS-chun /zəˈbæs.tʃən/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Zebastian a boy or girl name?

Zebastian is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Zebastian?

Zebastian is a very rare name for boys in the U.S., far behind Sebastian.