Bastian is a name of German origin, derived from the Latin word 'constantius', meaning 'constant'. It was originally used as a surname before evolving into a given name. In Germany, Bastian is often associated with the popular children's author Michael Ende's novel "Die Unendliche Geschichte" (The Neverending Story), in which the main character is named Bastian Baxter. This has contributed to its popularity and recognition in that country. However, it is also used in other parts of Europe and beyond, though less frequently than some other names. It is often shortened to 'Bas' or 'Basi'. In terms of name days, as per German traditions, Bastian is celebrated on January 7th, the feast day of Saint Basil, but this is not universally observed. The name Bastian does not inherently have any specific personality traits associated with it; individuals named Bastian possess their own unique characteristics and qualities.
The name Bastian has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past three decades, with a notable spike starting around the year 2000. From 1991 to 1999, the number of annual births ranged between 5 and 18. However, beginning in 2000, there was a marked rise, with over 50 births per year occurring annually since then, reaching an all-time high of 200 births in 2023.