The first name Octavian
A boy’s name from Latin meaning “-ian: forming adjectives”.
Pronounced /ɒkˈteɪvi.ən/ 3 syllables Male
Meaning and origin
Latin origin
Octavian means “-ian: forming adjectives” in Latin.
From Latin Octavianus, from Octāvius + -ianus (“-ian: forming adjectives”), initially used to distinguish the future Roman emperor upon his adoption by his uncle Gaius Julius Caesar, upon which his formal name became identical to his new father. Equivalent to Octavius + -ian.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 14 boys were named Octavian, making it the 1,798th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2023, with 16 births (#1,533).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Octavian with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Octavian at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 51 boys born in the United States were named Octavian, the 2,592nd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2021, when 66 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Octavian in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Spelled Octavian in German and Romanian too.
Famous people named Octavian
1 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- August FournierAustrian historian and politician (1850-1920)
More Latin boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Octavian mean?
- Octavian means “-ian: forming adjectives” in Latin.
- What is the origin of the name Octavian?
- From Latin Octavianus, from Octāvius + -ianus (“-ian: forming adjectives”), initially used to distinguish the future Roman emperor upon his adoption by his uncle Gaius Julius Caesar, upon which his formal name became identical to his new father. Equivalent to Octavius + -ian.
- How popular is the name Octavian?
- In 2025, 14 boys born in England and Wales were named Octavian, ranking 1,798th. Its peak was 2023, with 16 births.
- Is Octavian a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 1,481 US babies named Octavian since 1880 were boys.
- When was Octavian most popular?
- 2021 in the United States, when 66 babies were named Octavian, its highest rank at 2,166th.
- How do you pronounce Octavian?
- Octavian is /ɒkˈteɪvi.ən/, 3 syllables.