Name: Xavier
Meaning: “bright” or “splendid;” or “new house”
Origin: Arabic or Basque
Current Popularity: #88
Derived from the Basque word for home, etxeberria, Xavier is probably the most popular name that starts with an X. Xavier has experienced sustained popularity in use since the 1940s but really took off in the early 1980s. It has leveled out in the last twenty years in the top 100, a favorite among American families looking for a name with effortless class and cool. Usually pronounced “ZAY-vee-er,” it can also be pronounced with an additional syllable, a hard X at the beginning (“ex-ZAY-vee-er”).
Nickname Potential: X, Zave, Zavi
Associations: The first, though perhaps not closest, association people have with this name is St. Francis Xavier, a Navarrese Catholic missionary who was canonized in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV. Xavier University in Ohio also shares this name, as it was named after the saint. Because of the dominance of pop culture in our collective imagination, the most famous Xavier association is probably from the comics: Dr. Charles Xavier of X-Men fame, aka Professor X.
Similar Names: Adrian, Alexander, Ander, Dexter, Dominic, Elias, Ezekiel/Zeke, Felix, Griffin, Javier, Maxwell, Oliver, Quentin, Savion, Sebastian, Tristan, Xander
Why We Love It: We love names with history and tradition and a modern sound. It’s a combination that makes a name feel timeless. And Xavier has it. The scarcity of wearable names with the X beginning also makes Xavier a popular choice. Plus, the single-letter nickname “X” will always be cool, and with an established name like Xavier, it’s also really natural and intuitive.
Who Might Like It: Because of its Spanish and Basque roots, parents who want to honor that heritage may love this name. In fact, Xavier is the third most popular male name amongst Latino/a families after Angel and Jose. Catholic parents may also love how the name ties into St. Xavier. While the name will come with its share of pronunciation flubs, Xavier is perfect for parents who want a name that marvelously juggles traditional and contemporary style.