Rising since 1992, #1,021 for boys today.
Popularity of Bastian since 1991
Babies named Bastian per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 104 |
| 2000s | 234 |
| 2010s | 1,155 |
| 2020s | 1,121 |
Meaning & origin
Bastian entered U.S. records in 1991 and has been steadily climbing ever since, ranking 1021 in 2025 with a 1-in-7799 birth rate. It reached its peak rank of 1021 in 2024 (the most recent data), and the trajectory shows consistent growth since 1992. The name is most popular in Maryland, Connecticut, and Florida. As a shortened form of Sebastian, Bastian appeals to parents seeking a modern, streamlined version of a classic name. Its rise in the U.S. likely benefited from the popularity of 'The Neverending Story' character, though the name has deep roots in German and Latin traditions. With its soft consonants and international feel, Bastian has become a distinctive yet accessible choice for boys.
Bastian is primarily a short form of Sebastian, which comes from the Latin name Sebastianus, meaning 'from Sebaste' (a city in Asia Minor). Sebastianus itself derives from the Greek word 'sebastos,' meaning 'venerable' or 'august.' As an independent given name, Bastian has been used in German-speaking countries since the Middle Ages, often as a diminutive. In modern usage, it gained recognition partly through the character Bastian Bux in Michael Ende's 1979 novel 'The Neverending Story.'
Where Bastian is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Bastian” around the world
Where Bastian lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bast, Basti
Sibling names for Bastian
Names that share Bastian's style, for a brother or sister.
