Sabin
Primarily a boy's name of Latin origin with 713 recorded births. Also given to 6 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Sabin is a boy's and girl's baby name of Latin origin, from the ancient Sabine people of central Italy — a tribe neighboring Rome whose women were famously taken in the historical episode known as the Rape of the Sabine Women. The name means 'Sabine man' and carries the ancient heritage of the Italian peninsula. Albert Sabin, creator of the oral polio vaccine, is its most celebrated modern bearer.
Sabin is historically rich and medically heroic — a name for a child whose legacy, you hope, will be as life-changing as the man who eradicated one of history's most feared diseases.
EtymologyShow more
Sabin is built from 5 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Latin naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Sabin creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Sabin was #4563 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #8180, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 40 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 146 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 196 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 127 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 30 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 118 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 28 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 15 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 8 | — |
The Story of Sabin
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 1999, Sabin is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Sabin are most likely born between 1989 and 2009.
How rare is Sabin?
Only about 1 in every 360,000 babies born in 2024 was named Sabin — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1917, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2000s with 196 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Sabin by the numbers
- Would fill 15 school buses
- Meeting one Sabin per day would take 2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(58 years, 1917–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 | #8180 |
| 2023 | 12 | #7213 |
| 2021 | 10 | #8048 |
| 2020 | 8 | #9392 |
| 2019 | 10 | #8093 |
| 2018 | 13 | #6635 |
| 2017 | 11 | #7452 |
| 2016 | 15 | #6000 |
| 2015 | 17 | #5475 |
| 2014 | 20 | #4832 |
| 2013 | 14 | #6182 |
| 2012 | 12 | #6957 |
| 2011 | 15 | #5897 |
| 2010 | 19 | #5000 |
| 2009 | 25 | #4138 |
| 2008 | 10 | #8185 |
| 2007 | 20 | #4764 |
| 2006 | 21 | #4478 |
| 2005 | 21 | #4303 |
| 2004 | 19 | #4563 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Sabin as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Sabin has also been given to 6 girls in the U.S. since 1999.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sabin a boy's or girl's name?
When was Sabin most popular?
How popular is the name Sabin?
Can Sabin be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1917–2024