Fabian is a name of Latin origin, derived from the Roman family name Fabius, which is believed to have been derived from the Latin word "faba," meaning "bean." The name Fabian is thought to have been borne by several early saints and martyrs in the Christian church, including Saint Fabian, who was a pope in the third century. He was reportedly killed for his faith during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Decius around 250 AD.
The name Fabian has also been associated with several notable historical figures throughout history. One such figure is Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus, more commonly known as Fabius Cunctator, who was a Roman general and statesman in the second century BC. He earned his nickname "Cunctator," which means "the delayer," for his strategic use of delaying tactics against the invading Carthaginians during the Second Punic War.
The name Fabian has also been popular among royalty throughout history. King Fabian of Dalmatia was a ruler in the fourth century AD, while Emperor Fabian was a Roman emperor in the late third century AD.
Today, the name Fabian is still used as both a first and middle name, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. It has consistently ranked among the top 1000 most popular boy names in the United States since records began being kept in the early 20th century.
Overall, the name Fabian has a long and rich history that spans centuries and continents. From its origins in ancient Rome to its association with several notable historical figures, the name Fabian continues to be a popular choice among parents today.
The popularity of the name Fabian has seen significant fluctuations over time. In the early years (1882-1939), there were fewer than 30 births per year on average, with a peak of just 33 in 1917. However, from the 1940s onwards, there was a marked increase in popularity, reaching over 500 births annually by the late 1980s.
The name's peak popularity occurred in the late 1980s to early 1990s, with a high of 999 births in 1999. Since then, popularity has declined somewhat but remained relatively stable, with around 650-750 births per year from 2000 to 2023.
In total, over the entire period from 1882 to 2023, there were 42,875 recorded births named Fabian.