Find out how popular the first name Xian has been for the last 27 years (from 1997 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Xian by gender

Based on the last 27 years of data, Xian is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 80% of people named Xian being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 25 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Xian.

The history of the first name Xian

The name Xian has its origins in Chinese culture and language. It is a romanized spelling of the Chinese character 仙, which means "immortal" or "supernatural being." This character has been in use for over 2,000 years and is deeply rooted in Chinese mythology and Taoism.

The earliest recorded use of the name Xian can be traced back to ancient Chinese literature and philosophical texts. It was often used to refer to mythical beings or deities who had attained immortality through spiritual cultivation and harmony with nature. The concept of Xian was closely tied to the Taoist pursuit of longevity and enlightenment.

One of the most famous early references to Xian is found in the classic Taoist text "Zhuangzi," written around the 4th century BCE. The book features numerous stories and allegories involving Xian, highlighting their ability to transcend the physical world and attain a higher state of existence.

Throughout Chinese history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Xian or were associated with the concept of immortality and Xian. One example is Xian Er, a legendary figure from the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE) who was believed to have achieved immortality through Taoist practices.

Another prominent figure is Xian Xia, a Taoist philosopher and alchemist from the 3rd century CE. He is credited with contributing to the development of Taoist alchemy and the pursuit of longevity through the cultivation of inner energy.

In the 8th century CE, there was a famous Taoist monk named Xian Zong, who was renowned for his spiritual teachings and his ability to perform miracles. He is believed to have lived for over 200 years and is still revered by Taoists today.

During the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 CE), a renowned poet and government official named Xian Xiu gained recognition for his contributions to literature and his mastery of the Chinese poetic form known as fu.

In more recent times, the name Xian has been associated with Xian Xing-hai, a Chinese composer and musician from the early 20th century who is celebrated for his efforts to modernize traditional Chinese music.

While the name Xian has its roots in ancient Chinese culture and mythology, it continues to be used in modern times, carrying with it the connotations of immortality, longevity, and spiritual enlightenment.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!