Fabian

Associated with the Roman family name Fabius, which is traditionally connected to the Latin word for ‘bean.’

Fabian is a masculine given name with Latin roots and a long historical presence, reaching from Roman-era naming into modern European usage. It reads as familiar in many places today, partly because it fits common spelling patterns and has an easy rhythm when spoken. Etymologically, Fabian comes from the Latin Fabianus, meaning “of the Fabii,” referencing the Roman gens Fabius. Many references connect Fabius to Latin faba, “bean,” which is why you’ll sometimes see Fabian explained with an agricultural link like “bean grower” or “bean farmer.” As with many Roman family-name derivations, the exact chain of interpretation depends on the source, but the core Latin lineage is widely agreed. In English, pronunciation is often FAY-bee-uhn (three syllables). A practical tip is that Fabian tends to be nickname-friendly—Fabi is common in several languages—and that accents in forms like Fabián are usually about local orthography rather than a completely different identity for the name.

Etymology: From Latin naming tradition: Fabianus (‘of the Fabii’), related to the Roman gens Fabius; many references connect the family name to Latin faba (‘bean’).