Sabian
Primarily a boy's name of Arabic origin with 938 recorded births. Also given to 21 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A member of a group (mentioned in the Qur'an) that is entitled to Muslim religious toleration, along with Jews and Christians; they are usually identified with the Mandaeans or the Elkesaites.
Sabian is a boy's and girl's baby name of Arabic origin, from the Sabians — a monotheistic religious group mentioned in the Quran alongside Jews and Christians as 'People of the Book.' As a given name, it carries a philosophical, interfaith openness and historical curiosity.
EtymologyShow more
Sabian appeared in SSA records in 1976, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its Arabic roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
Sabian’s 938 recorded births provide enough of a footprint to establish it as a real, chosen name in American culture — not a typo or a one-off, but a deliberate selection by hundreds of families.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Sabian was #2477 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #8811, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 60 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 198 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 436 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 213 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 31 | — |
The Story of Sabian
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 1999, Sabian is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Sabian are most likely born between 1989 and 2009.
How rare is Sabian?
Only about 1 in every 400,000 babies born in 2024 was named Sabian — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1976, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2000s with 436 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Sabian by the numbers
- Would fill 20 school buses
- Meeting one Sabian per day would take 2.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(38 years, 1976–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | #8811 |
| 2023 | 15 | #6158 |
| 2022 | 10 | #8186 |
| 2021 | 13 | #6602 |
| 2020 | 13 | #6553 |
| 2019 | 14 | #6347 |
| 2018 | 24 | #4324 |
| 2017 | 17 | #5480 |
| 2016 | 15 | #5999 |
| 2015 | 17 | #5474 |
| 2014 | 20 | #4831 |
| 2013 | 24 | #4156 |
| 2012 | 19 | #5009 |
| 2011 | 31 | #3497 |
| 2010 | 17 | #5429 |
| 2009 | 23 | #4403 |
| 2008 | 44 | #2780 |
| 2007 | 35 | #3235 |
| 2006 | 39 | #2925 |
| 2005 | 47 | #2458 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Sabian as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Sabian has also been given to 21 girls in the U.S. since 1995.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sabian a boy's or girl's name?
When was Sabian most popular?
How popular is the name Sabian?
Can Sabian be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1976–2024