The name Xavier has international appeal and is used (along with variants) in English, French, Portuguese, Catalan, Spanish, and Arabic. The ever-exotic "X" also adds to its intrigue for parents today. There are very few words that begin with x in the English language, making this name stand out. But while this name continues to dazzle us with an interesting sound, Xavier is becoming more common.
American Popularity and Use
Xavier has a humble history of use, beginning with a cameo appearance in name statistics in the year 1890. But Xavier really didn't start to find life here as a first name until the 1950s, when Xavier Cugat's orchestra was turning out hits like Mambo No. 5 and Mambo Jambo. After that point, the name began to slowly but steadily grow in popularity.
In the 1980s, the name Xavier was written on the tushie of every Cabbage Patch Doll sold. The inventor of the dolls, Xavier Roberts, became part of our culture as his name was introduced not only to the parents who bought the toys, but the kids who grew up with one.
In the last decade, the revival of comic book movie adaptations has also introduced a generation to Charles Frances Xavier, also known as Professor X and the name behind X-Men.
Today, Xavier is a popular name, ranked at 81 for 2012. It's been in the top 100 since 2001, and I expect it to stay in that bracket for some time.
Second Best Becomes First
The Catholic saint Francis Xavier has inspired many parents in using that combination as a first and middle name. (Even Xavier Cugat's given name was Francis Xavier Cugat.) While the name Francis has seen more popularity than Xavier, Francis hit its height in this country in the early 1900s and has since declined. It's now ranked at 593 out of the top 1,000. Xavier has emerged from the shadow of its counterpart and become much more popular than Francis.
Variations
- Haviero
- Javier (a very popular Spanish variation)
- Javiero
- Saviero
- Xabier
- Xavier
- Xavon
- Xever
- Xzavier
- Zavier
Celebrity Babies
Xavier, son of Donnie Wahlberg
Xavier, son of Tilda Swinton
I've always liked Xavier -- I have a bit of a thing for the 'X' names! Very contemporary too, I would argue, with that -er ending. Makes an interesting alternative to Alexander and Oliver.
ReplyDeleteI do think the variant Xzavier really does over-egg the pudding, though!
Why am I not surprised that Tilda has a Xavier?