Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Xavier
BoyBasque, Spanish· “the new house”
- Meaning
- the new house
- Origin
- Basque, Spanish
- Pronunciation
- ZAY-vee-ur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #108
- US babies 2025
- 3,232
- Best rank
- #68 (2007)
- Peak year
- 2007
Meaning and origin of Xavier
Xavier is a Basque and Spanish name that means “the new house”.
Xavier comes from the Basque place name Etxeberria, meaning the new house. It became a given name through Saint Francis Xavier, a sixteenth-century Jesuit missionary born at the castle of Xavier in Navarre, who traveled to India and Japan. Catholic families across Europe and the Americas honored him by using Xavier, often as a middle name. In the United States it is pronounced several ways, most often ZAY-vee-ur, while Spanish uses Javier and French says it closer to zah-VYAY. The name feels distinctive, with a rare initial letter. Xavi and Zave are possible nicknames.
Popularity over time
Xavier first appears in US Social Security records in 1886. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 79 different years, starting in 1890. Its best national rank was #68 in 2007, the same year it reached its highest count of 6,561 babies. In 2025, 3,232 babies were named Xavier, and it ranked #108 nationally. That is 31% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #4,982 in 1920, #871 in 1950, #464 in 1980, #103 in 2000, #71 in 2010, and #108 in 2025. Of the 160,332 US boys named Xavier since records began, 33% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 48,739 babies. Since 2010, 70,021 more have been named Xavier.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Brody, Jaden, Tristan, Adrian, and Luis.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Xavier ranked highest in New Mexico, California, and Arizona.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | #43 | 34 |
| California | #61 | 566 |
| Arizona | #61 | 115 |
| District of Columbia | #73 | 12 |
| Nevada | #75 | 40 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Xavier is usually pronounced ZAY-vee-ur, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with X and ends in “-er”.
Middle names for Xavier
A few middle names that flow with Xavier: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Xavier
Similar names
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Lists that include Xavier
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Xavier mean?
Xavier is a Basque and Spanish name that means “the new house”.
What is the origin of the name Xavier?
Xavier has Basque and Spanish roots. Xavier comes from the Basque place name Etxeberria, meaning the new house.
Is Xavier a popular name?
Yes. Xavier ranked #108 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Xavier a boy or girl name?
Xavier is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Xavier?
Xavier is usually pronounced ZAY-vee-ur. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings