How to say it
FA · bi · an
ˈfeɪ.bi.ən
Masculine
Fabian
Bean grower
What it means
From the Roman family name Fabius, tied to the Latin faba, 'bean.'
Fabian comes from the Roman clan name Fabius, traced to the Latin faba, 'bean,' since the family may have grown them. A pope and several saints carried it, and it stayed popular across Europe and Latin America as Fabián. The teen idol Fabian gave it mid-century pop shine. Smooth and continental. Said FAY-bee-un.
How to spell Fabian
The standard spelling is Fabian. Common variants include Fabián, Fabien, Fabiano, but Fabian is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #253 in 2007, currently #468 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Spanish Fabián; Italian Fabiano.
- Worth knowing
A steady classic across Europe and Latin America.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Fabian American singer and late 1950s teen idol, born Fabian Forte
Spelling variants
- Fabián
- Fabien
- Fabiano
Names with the same feeling
See Fabian from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Fabian mean?
- From the Roman family name Fabius, tied to the Latin faba, 'bean.'
- What does Fabian mean in Latin?
- In Latin, Fabian means "Bean grower." Fabian comes from the Roman clan name Fabius, traced to the Latin faba, 'bean,' since the family may have grown them. A pope and several saints carried it, and it stayed popular across Europe and Latin America as Fabián. The teen idol Fabian gave it mid-century pop shine. Smooth and continental. Said FAY-bee-un.
- How do you pronounce Fabian?
- Fabian is pronounced ˈfeɪ.bi.ən. Say it as FA-bi-an, with the stress on the "fa" syllable.
- How do you spell Fabian?
- The standard spelling is Fabian. Common spelling variants include Fabián, Fabien, Fabiano.
- Is Fabian a boy or girl name?
- Fabian is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Fabian?
- Fabian ranked #468 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.