Fabian
From Latin Fabiānus (“belonging to Fabius”), derived from Fabius + -ānus.
Every Fabian since 1882 — 44,577 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Fabian
Fabian is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #468 in 2025 with 655 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1882, 44,577 American babies have been named Fabian. Its peak came in 2007, when 1,403 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Fabian stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Fabian year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 655 | #468 |
| 2024 | — | — | 714 | #441 |
| 2023 | — | — | 658 | #465 |
| 2022 | — | — | 673 | #457 |
| 2021 | — | — | 684 | #448 |
| 2020 | — | — | 708 | #423 |
| 2019 | — | — | 796 | #393 |
| 2018 | — | — | 810 | #391 |
| 2017 | — | — | 825 | #388 |
| 2016 | — | — | 868 | #377 |
| 2015 | — | — | 943 | #357 |
| 2014 | — | — | 1,053 | #325 |
| 2013 | — | — | 1,096 | #313 |
| 2012 | — | — | 1,162 | #298 |
| 2011 | — | — | 1,198 | #291 |
| 2010 | — | — | 1,042 | #305 |
| 2009 | — | — | 1,174 | #283 |
| 2008 | 6 | #16,046 | 1,178 | #289 |
| 2007 | 7 | #14,396 | 1,396 | #253 |
| 2006 | 5 | #18,036 | 1,276 | #271 |
| 2005 | — | — | 1,232 | #270 |
| 2004 | 6 | #14,746 | 1,224 | #267 |
| 2003 | 5 | #16,572 | 1,147 | #272 |
| 2002 | — | — | 1,150 | #271 |
| 2001 | 5 | #16,145 | 1,111 | #275 |
| 2000 | — | — | 1,081 | #284 |
| 1995 | 10 | #8,285 | 719 | #339 |
| 1990 | 6 | #11,847 | 767 | #325 |
| 1985 | 9 | #7,137 | 459 | #392 |
| 1980 | 6 | #9,439 | 360 | #433 |
| 1975 | 6 | #8,308 | 246 | #511 |
| 1970 | — | — | 217 | #552 |
| 1965 | 6 | #6,020 | 163 | #596 |
| 1960 | — | — | 186 | #574 |
| 1955 | — | — | 47 | #1,092 |
| 1950 | 18 | #2,375 | 32 | #1,275 |
| 1945 | — | — | 20 | #1,508 |
| 1940 | — | — | 23 | #1,415 |
| 1935 | — | — | 24 | #1,402 |
| 1930 | — | — | 20 | #1,664 |
| 1925 | — | — | 34 | #1,238 |
| 1920 | — | — | 29 | #1,357 |
| 1915 | — | — | 28 | #1,247 |
| 1910 | — | — | 7 | #1,348 |
| 1905 | — | — | 6 | #1,141 |
| 1900 | — | — | 9 | #930 |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Fabian
- Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen Explorer · 1778–1852
- Fabian von Schlabrendorff Lawyer · 1907–1980
- Fabian Cancellara Cyclist · b. 1981
- Fabian Picardo Politician · b. 1972
- Fabian Ernst Soccer player · b. 1979
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Fabian mean?
From Latin Fabiānus (“belonging to Fabius”), derived from Fabius + -ānus.
How popular is the name Fabian in 2025?
Fabian ranked #468 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 655 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Fabian?
44,577 babies have been named Fabian in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Fabian most popular?
Fabian peaked in 2007, when 1,403 newborns received the name.
Is Fabian a boy or girl name?
Fabian is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Fabian rising or falling?
Fabian is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Fabian?
Well-known people named Fabian include Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen (explorer), Fabian von Schlabrendorff (lawyer), Fabian Cancellara (cyclist).