Sebastian in Chinese
Sebastian in Chinese is 塞巴斯蒂安 (Sài Bā Sī Dì Ān).
- Origin
- Greek
- Meaning
- venerable, revered
The name traces back to Greek sources, where it is usually explained as "venerable, revered". It first shows up in US Social Security records in 1881 and peaked in 2016.
3 ways to write Sebastian
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
塞巴斯蒂安
Sài Bā Sī Dì Ān
The standard transliteration of Sebastian: 塞 (sài, "fortress (phonetic 'se/sai')"), 巴 (bā, "to hope for (phonetic 'ba')"), 斯 (sī, "this (phonetic 's')"), 蒂 (dì, "stem of a fruit (phonetic 'di')"), 安 (ān, "peace, safety"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
To fit Mandarin syllable rules, the sounds are broken into 5 characters: 塞 sài + 巴 bā + 斯 sī + 蒂 dì + 安 ān. The tone contour is 4-1-1-4-1 (falling, high level, high level, falling, high level).
Character breakdown
48 strokes total (simplified)- 塞
sài
Tone 4 · 13 strokes (simplified)
fortress (phonetic 'se/sai')
- 巴
bā
Tone 1 · 4 strokes (simplified)
to hope for (phonetic 'ba')
- 斯
sī
Tone 1 · 12 strokes (simplified)
this (phonetic 's')
- 蒂
dì
Tone 4 · 13 strokes (simplified)
stem of a fruit (phonetic 'di')
- 安
ān
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
peace, safety
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
宏阳
Hóng Yáng
Inspired by "venerable, revered": 宏 (hóng, "grand, vast") + 阳 (yáng, "sun, positive principle"), expressing nobility and greatness.
Why these characters?
Because Sebastian is linked to "venerable", the name leads with 宏 (grand, vast); 阳 (sun, positive principle) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
13 strokes total (simplified)- 宏
hóng
Tone 2 · 7 strokes (simplified)
grand, vast
- 阳
yáng
Tone 2 · 6 strokes (simplified)
sun, positive principle
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
赛华
Sài Huá
赛 (sài, "to compete; surpass") + 华 (huá, "splendid, magnificent; China"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
赛 (sài) sounds close to the opening "se" of Sebastian (compare 塞 sài) but means "to compete; surpass"; 华 adds "splendid, magnificent; China".
Character breakdown
20 strokes total (simplified)- 赛
sài
Tone 4 · 14 strokes (simplified)
to compete; surpass
- 华
huá
Tone 2 · 6 strokes (simplified)
splendid, magnificent; China
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Sebastian
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Sebastian ranked 13 among names recorded for boys, with 53,454 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 144,361 boys named Sebastian since 1881, with the high point in 2016 (10,276 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #319 to #22 among boys.
- Peak year
- 2016
- Peak decade
- 2010s
- First year
- 1881
- Total since 1880
- 144,361
More About Sebastian in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Sebastian offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Sebastian, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Shawn in Chinese, Carter in Chinese, and Devin in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Peter in Chinese, Trevor in Chinese, and Victor in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Sebastian, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Sebastian to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How is Sebastian translated into Chinese?
塞巴斯蒂安 (Sài Bā Sī Dì Ān), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Is there a Chinese name for Sebastian with real meaning?
Try 宏阳 (Hóng Yáng): grand, vast + sun, positive principle, inspired by "venerable, revered". For something that still sounds like Sebastian, 赛华 (Sài Huá) is a middle ground.
How popular is the name Sebastian?
US Social Security records show 144,361 boys named Sebastian since 1881, with the high point in 2016 (10,276 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #319 to #22 among boys.