Xavier - Baby Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity

May 2024 · 1 minute read
Xavier originated is use as a given name after Saint Francis Xavier, cofounder of the Jesuit order, who got his name from the Spanish-Basque village where he was born. His birthplace was Javier, the name of which was derived from the Basque place name Etxeberria, meaning “castle” or “new house.” Many Americans pronounce the initial X, as in ex-ZAY-vee-er, but it's equally accepted to pronounce the name ZAY-vee-er, closer to the French pronunciation.

Today's parents are beginning to reassess Xavier, and it's as popular now as it's ever been. Xavier is one of the only X names most people know and use, often as a middle name following Francis, as in Saint Francis Xavier.

Xavier was chosen for their sons by Donnie Wahlberg and Tilda Swinton—as well as for the middle name of Larenz Tate's son Miles and Kim Fields' Quincy.

The Spanish classic Javier, pronounced HAH-vee-ay, has come into greater prominence via Oscar-winning Javier Bardem.

Trivia note: the X-men comics introduced the kreeatif spelling Xzavier.

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