Xavier is a name of Spanish origin, derived from the Basque name Etxeberri, which means "new house." It was popularized by Saint Francis Xavier, a missionary who traveled to Asia in the 16th century and was responsible for spreading Christianity throughout the region.
The name Xavier has been used for centuries, with its earliest known usage dating back to the 15th century. However, it gained significant popularity after the canonization of Saint Francis Xavier in 1622, when many families began naming their sons after the saint.
Throughout history, Xavier has been associated with intelligence, wisdom, and devotion due to the accomplishments of its most famous namesake. Today, it remains a popular name worldwide, particularly in Spain, France, and English-speaking countries like the United States. Despite its Spanish origin, Xavier is also used as a given name for both boys and girls in many other cultures and languages.
In terms of popularity, Xavier has consistently ranked among the top 1000 baby names in the United States since the 1970s. Its most popular period was between the late 1980s and early 2000s, when it peaked at number 354 for boys in 1996.
Some notable people with the name Xavier include French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778), Spanish footballer Xavi Hernández (born 1980), and American actor Javier Bardem (born 1969). However, these individuals are not meant to represent or influence perceptions about the personality traits associated with the name Xavier.
The name Xavier has seen a varied trend in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. Starting with just 9 births in 1988, the number of newborns named Xavier grew steadily throughout the 1990s, peaking at 41 births in 2006.
Interestingly, the name maintained a consistent level of popularity from 2002 to 2007, with an average of around 30 births per year during this period. However, it's worth noting that there was a significant spike in 2006, which could indicate a particular event or cultural influence that contributed to the name's popularity that year.
From 2008 onwards, the number of newborns named Xavier has fluctuated but generally remained between 15 and 35 births per year. The most recent data available shows that there were 9 births in both 2022 and 2023.
Overall, while Xavier may not be one of the most popular names in the United States, it has maintained a steady level of popularity over time. It will be interesting to see how its popularity trends in the coming years.