Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Xena
GirlGreek· “hospitable, guest”
- Meaning
- hospitable, guest
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- ZEE-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,270
- US babies 2025
- 177
- Best rank
- #758 (1996)
- Peak year
- 1996
Meaning and origin of Xena
Xena is a Greek name that is usually said to mean “hospitable, guest”.
Xena is linked to the Greek xenos, meaning stranger or guest, and the related word xenia, the ancient ideal of hospitality toward travelers. As a given name it is rare before modern times, and most people associate it with the television series Xena: Warrior Princess, which made the name famous in the late twentieth century. That connection gives Xena a bold, heroic image. The initial X is pronounced as a Z. Zee is a simple nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Zena.
Popularity over time
Xena first appears in US Social Security records in 1992. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 2 different years, starting in 1996. Its best national rank was #758 in 1996, the same year it reached its highest count of 279 babies. In 2025, 177 babies were named Xena, and it ranked #1,270 nationally. That is 86% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #2,157 in 2000, #4,391 in 2010, and #1,270 in 2025. Of the 3,513 US girls named Xena since records began, 36% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 991 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Erykah, Shianne, Brionna, Katia, and Bryana.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Xena ranked highest in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Arizona.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | #788 | 6 |
| Pennsylvania | #869 | 11 |
| Arizona | #902 | 7 |
| Missouri | #920 | 6 |
| California | #1024 | 27 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Xena is usually pronounced ZEE-nuh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with X and ends in “-na”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Zena.
Middle names for Xena
A few middle names that flow with Xena: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Xena
Similar names
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ahr-ee-AH-nuh
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LEE-nuh
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rahk-SAN-uh
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joh-AN-uh
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Lists that include Xena
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Xena mean?
Xena is a Greek name that is usually said to mean “hospitable, guest”.
What is the origin of the name Xena?
Xena has Greek roots. Xena is linked to the Greek xenos, meaning stranger or guest, and the related word xenia, the ancient ideal of hospitality toward travelers.
Is Xena a popular name?
Not especially. Xena ranked #1,270 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Xena a boy or girl name?
Xena is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Xena?
Xena is usually pronounced ZEE-nuh. 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