Bastian

Bastian is a short form of Sebastian that is also used independently. Sebastian ultimately refers to a person from Sebaste, a place name based on a Greek word meaning venerable or revered. Bastian keeps that name-family history even when the opening syllable of Sebastian is left out.

Michael Ende’s The Neverending Story features a boy named Bastian, giving the form a recognizable literary association. Bastien is a related French spelling, while Bas offers an even shorter option. Families honoring a Sebastian can choose Bastian as the full name or use it informally, depending on whether they want the longer traditional form available in official records.