Alternatives to Sebastian

You lose the zippy Z with the Nordic form of Zebulon, but the softer nickname Seb is nice.

Americans are familiar with Seb as a nickname for Sebastian, but Seppe is an international update. This Flemish nickname name has found popularity in its own right in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Seppo has two separate Finnish origins. The first is as a nickname for Sebastian, a name used widely across Europe. The second version is derived from the Finnish word seppä, meaning "smith."

Sevastian is a masculine name that represents an alternative spelling of Sebastian, which originated from the Greek name Sebastianos, meaning "from Sebaste" or "venerable." Sebaste was an ancient city whose name derived from "sebastos," the Greek equivalent of the Latin "augustus" (revered). The most famous bearer was Saint Sebastian, a 3rd-century Roman soldier and Christian martyr. While Sebastian ranks consistently in popularity charts worldwide, Sevastian offers a distinctive Slavic twist, particularly popular in Russian and Eastern European cultures. This variation maintains the strong classical roots while providing a unique spelling that sets it apart from the more common Sebastian.

Sleek and smart, with a hint of mystique about it, Silas is a recent addition to the US Top 100. Both mythological and Biblical in origin, Silas joins the ranks of Isaiah, Atlas, Elias, and Sebastian: polished and contemporary feeling names with plenty of history.

Stevenson is a masculine name that originated as a patronymic surname meaning 'son of Steven' or 'son of Stephen.' The root name Stephen derives from the Greek 'Stephanos,' meaning 'crown' or 'garland,' symbolizing honor and achievement. While primarily known as a family name, Stevenson has occasionally been used as a first name, offering a distinguished and somewhat formal alternative to the more common Steven or Stephen. The name carries literary associations through renowned author Robert Louis Stevenson. As a given name, Stevenson projects confidence and intellectual depth, while acknowledging familial heritage. Its relative rarity as a first name makes it distinctive, though it maintains familiar roots that connect it to the widely recognized Stephen family of names.

See the popularity graph below for the name Theo? It's been heading straight uphill since 2010, when it hopped back onto the Top 1000 after a 60+ year absence.

Classic and elegant but with boyish charm, Theodore has become hit name in recent years, vaulting into the US Top 10 in 2021 for the first time ever and into the Top 5 in 2024. A favorite in English speaking countries, it also ranks highly across the UK and Ireland, and in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.

Sebastian has many international nicknames, and Tian is the short form of choice in Slovenia. It is also spelled Tijan.

Tobias is one of a number of s-ending boys' names that are riding a wave of popularity. With its Old Testament-Dickensian feel, it's a name with a distinguished pedigree.

An Old Testament name with a Puritan feel and post-Zachary possibilities--one of several routes to the cool nickname Zeb.