Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Fabian
BoyLatin, German· “from the Roman family name Fabius”
- Meaning
- from the Roman family name Fabius
- Origin
- Latin, German
- Pronunciation
- FAY-bee-uhn
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #468
- US babies 2025
- 655
- Best rank
- #253 (2007)
- Peak year
- 2007
Meaning and origin of Fabian
Fabian is a Latin and German name that is usually said to mean “from the Roman family name Fabius”.
Fabian comes from the Latin Fabianus, derived from the Roman family name Fabius, which is often linked to faba, bean. The Roman general Quintus Fabius Maximus, known for his cautious strategy of wearing down Hannibal, gave rise to the term Fabian for gradual methods. Saint Fabian was a third-century pope and martyr. The name is used across Europe, especially in Germany, Scandinavia and Spanish-speaking countries, where it may be pronounced fah-BYAHN. Fabian feels polished and continental, with Fabi and Fab as nicknames.
Popularity over time
Fabian first appears in US Social Security records in 1882. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 70 different years, starting in 1882. Its best national rank was #253 in 2007, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,396 babies. In 2025, 655 babies were named Fabian, and it ranked #468 nationally. That is 30% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,357 in 1920, #1,275 in 1950, #433 in 1980, #284 in 2000, #305 in 2010, and #468 in 2025. Of the 44,250 US boys named Fabian since records began, 27% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 9,793 babies. Since 2010, 13,885 more have been named Fabian.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Caiden, Emanuel, Aden, Angelo, and Jonas.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Fabian ranked highest in New Mexico, California, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | #137 | 14 |
| California | #250 | 150 |
| Texas | #265 | 150 |
| Nevada | #282 | 11 |
| Arizona | #301 | 26 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Fabian is usually pronounced FAY-bee-uhn, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with F and ends in “-an”.
Middle names for Fabian
A few middle names that flow with Fabian: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Fabian
Similar names
Sebastian Boy
suh-BAS-chuhn
“from Sebaste; venerable” · Latin
#16
Julian Boy
JOO-lee-uhn
“belonging to Julius” · Latin
#25
Florian Boy
FLOR-ee-un
“flowering” · Latin
#2,495
Damian Boy
DAY-mee-uhn
“to tame” · Greek
#109
Esteban Boy
ehs-TEH-bahn
“crown, garland” · Spanish
#461
Maximilian Boy
mak-sih-MIHL-yuhn
“greatest” · Latin
#590
Lucian Boy
LOO-shuhn
“light” · Latin
#462
Cassian Boy
KAS-ee-uhn
“from the Roman family name Cassius” · Latin
#479
Adrian Boy
AY-dree-uhn
“from Hadria” · Latin
#74
Dominic Boy
DAH-muh-nihk
“of the Lord” · Latin
#106
Dominick Boy
DAH-muh-nihk
“of the Lord” · Latin
#622
Augustine Boy
AW-guh-steen
“venerable” · Latin
#545
Lists that include Fabian
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Fabian mean?
Fabian is a Latin and German name that is usually said to mean “from the Roman family name Fabius”.
What is the origin of the name Fabian?
Fabian has Latin and German roots. Fabian comes from the Latin Fabianus, derived from the Roman family name Fabius, which is often linked to faba, bean.
Is Fabian a popular name?
Yes. Fabian ranked #468 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Fabian a boy or girl name?
Fabian is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Fabian?
Fabian is usually pronounced FAY-bee-uhn. 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