Find out how popular the first name Xabier has been for the last 24 years (from 1999 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Xabier by gender

Based on the last 24 years of data, Xabier is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Xabier.

The history of the first name Xabier

The name Xabier has its origins in the Basque language and culture, which is native to the Basque Country region of Spain and France. It is derived from the ancient Basque name "Etxeberri," meaning "new house" or "newcomer." The name is believed to have emerged during the Middle Ages, around the 10th or 11th century.

The earliest recorded use of the name Xabier can be traced back to the 16th century, when it was bestowed upon Saint Francis Xavier, a Navarrese Catholic missionary and co-founder of the Society of Jesus. Born in 1506 in the Kingdom of Navarre (present-day Spain), Saint Francis Xavier played a significant role in the Catholic missionary efforts in Asia and is revered as the patron saint of missionaries.

Another notable figure bearing the name Xabier was Xabier Zubiri, a Spanish philosopher and essayist born in 1898 in San Sebastián, Spain. He was a renowned thinker who made important contributions to the field of metaphysics and is considered one of the most influential Spanish philosophers of the 20th century. Zubiri passed away in 1983.

In the world of sports, Xabier Etxeita is a former Spanish professional footballer who played as a defender for various clubs, including Athletic Bilbao and Getafe CF. He was born in 1977 in Bilbao, Spain, and retired from professional football in 2014.

Xabier Arzalluz was a prominent Basque politician who served as the president of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) from 1977 to 2004. He was born in 1932 in Arratzua-Villarreal, Spain, and played a crucial role in advocating for greater autonomy for the Basque Country during his political career.

Xabier Mina is a contemporary Spanish writer and journalist from Bilbao, Spain, born in 1962. He has written several novels and short story collections, and his work often explores themes related to Basque identity and culture.

It is worth noting that while the name Xabier has its roots in the Basque language and culture, it has also gained popularity in other regions and languages, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries where it is often spelled as "Javier" or "Xavier." The name has transcended its regional origins and has become a widely recognized and respected name worldwide.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Xabier was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Xabier, please contact us.

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