Find out how popular the first name Xanthus has been for the last 10 years (from 2004 to 2013) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Xanthus by gender

Based on the last 10 years of data, Xanthus is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2013, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Xanthus.

The history of the first name Xanthus

Xanthus is a given name of Greek origin, derived from the Greek word "xanthos," meaning "yellow" or "golden." It is believed to have emerged during the classical period of Ancient Greece, around the 5th century BCE.

The name Xanthus was associated with the ancient Greek city of Xanthos, located in the region of Lycia, in modern-day Turkey. The city was renowned for its impressive rock-cut tombs and architectural remains, which have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In Greek mythology, Xanthus was the name of one of the immortal horses of Achilles, as mentioned in Homer's epic poem, the Iliad. The horse possessed the ability to speak and warned Achilles of his impending death during the Trojan War.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Xanthus was a historian from Lydia, who lived in the 5th century BCE. He wrote a work titled "Lydian History," which is unfortunately lost to time, but was referenced by other ancient authors.

In the 4th century BCE, Xanthus of Sardis was a notable sculptor from Ancient Greece. He is best known for his sculptures of Muses, which were highly regarded in antiquity.

During the 3rd century BCE, Xanthus of Lesbos was a renowned Greek grammarian and scholar. He is credited with writing several works on literary criticism and the study of language.

In the 1st century CE, Xanthus the Phoenician was a philosopher and historian who wrote about the history and culture of the Phoenicians, though his works have not survived.

Another notable figure was Xanthus of Cilicia, a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century CE. He was executed for his religious beliefs during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Decius.

Throughout history, the name Xanthus has been relatively rare, but it has been used across various cultures and time periods, often associated with individuals of Greek heritage or those with an interest in classical literature and philosophy.

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 Xanthus was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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