Sebastiana is a name of Italian origin, derived from the Latin word 'sebastianus', which means 'venerable'. It is traditionally given to girls and has gained popularity worldwide due to its unique sound and association with historic figures such as Saint Sebastian, a Christian martyr from the 3rd century. In Italy, Sebastiana is often used as an alternative to the more common names like Sebastian or Sebastiano. The name Sebastiana is composed of two elements: 'Sebastian', which means 'venerable' or 'revered', and '-ana', a suffix often found in Italian female given names that indicates a feminine form. This results in Sebastiana having a distinctly feminine sound despite its masculine root. The name Sebastiana has been used throughout history, with notable bearers including the Italian opera singer Sebastiana Botto (1845-1923) and the Mexican actress Sebastiana Robles (born 1977). However, it remains relatively rare compared to other names from the same origin, such as Sebastian or Sebastianna. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in unique and distinct given names like Sebastiana, which may contribute to its increasing popularity among parents seeking uncommon yet meaningful names for their daughters.
The name Sebastiana experienced several periods of popularity with notable spikes in the early 1900s and again around the late 1990s to mid-2000s. However, it has generally been a relatively uncommon name throughout history, with only five years (1914, 1921, 1996, 2008, and 2020) seeing more than ten births annually since 1911.