Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Bastian
BoyGerman, Greek· “short form of Sebastian”
- Meaning
- short form of Sebastian
- Origin
- German, Greek
- Pronunciation
- BAS-chuhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,021
- US babies 2025
- 219
- Best rank
- #1,002 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Bastian
Bastian is a German and Greek name that is usually said to mean “short form of Sebastian”.
Bastian is a short form of Sebastian, which comes from the Greek Sebastianos, meaning a person from Sebaste, a town whose name relates to a Greek word for venerable. The long form spread through Saint Sebastian, a Roman martyr widely depicted in art. Bastian has long been used as an independent name in German-speaking countries. Readers may know it from Bastian Balthazar Bux, the hero of Michael Ende's novel The Neverending Story. Crisp and modern-sounding, Bastian feels European and adventurous, and Bash and Bas are casual nicknames.
Popularity over time
Bastian first appears in US Social Security records in 1991. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,002 in 2024, the same year it reached its highest count of 224 babies. In 2025, 219 babies were named Bastian, and it ranked #1,021 nationally. That is 53% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #4,221 in 2000, #3,312 in 2010, and #1,021 in 2025. Of the 2,614 US boys named Bastian since records began, 44% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 1,121 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Atharv, Rayyan, Mikael, Aizen, and Mael.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Bastian ranked highest in Maryland, Connecticut, and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | #478 | 10 |
| Connecticut | #506 | 5 |
| Florida | #557 | 31 |
| Missouri | #717 | 7 |
| South Carolina | #750 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Bastian is usually pronounced BAS-chuhn, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with B and ends in “-an”.
Middle names for Bastian
A few middle names that flow with Bastian: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Bastian
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Lists that include Bastian
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Bastian mean?
Bastian is a German and Greek name that is usually said to mean “short form of Sebastian”.
What is the origin of the name Bastian?
Bastian has German and Greek roots. Bastian is a short form of Sebastian, which comes from the Greek Sebastianos, meaning a person from Sebaste, a town whose name relates to a Greek word for venerable.
Is Bastian a popular name?
Not especially. Bastian ranked #1,021 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Bastian a boy or girl name?
Bastian is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Bastian?
Bastian is usually pronounced BAS-chuhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings