Find out how popular the last name Xi is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Xi.

Xi, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Xi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Xi in America

Xi is the 25620th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Xi surname appeared 963 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Xi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Xi to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Xi

The surname Xi originates from China, prominently within the historical regions of Henan and Hebei provinces. The use of surnames in China dates back to the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE), although the standardized use of hereditary surnames became more common during the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE). Xi is derived from the ancient Chinese character 嬴 (Yíng), which is historically significant and associated with the rise of feudal states within ancient Chinese civilization.

The surname Xi has connections to several ancient Chinese words and cultural references. The character Xi (西) means "west" in modern Chinese, although its historical implications indicate a directional association, sometimes involving territories or regions westward of significant ancient states. Notably, the surname Xi shares a phonetic resemblance with other surnames, such as Xian (先), but it is distinct in its own historical lineage and cultural context.

Records from the Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 CE) reveal the surname Xi in various forms in administrative manuscripts and family lineages. One of the earliest recorded instances appears in documents archived in the Han Dynasty, where officials recorded family histories for taxation and conscription purposes. These records show that families bearing the Xi surname often occupied significant territorial roles within local government structures.

During the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), the legendary poet Xi Shen emerged as a cultural figure whose works were anthologized in classical Chinese literature. Xi Shen, born in 745 CE and dying in 809 CE, contributed to the Tang poetic tradition, known for its rich imagery and philosophical depth.

The Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 CE) provides another notable individual, Xi Yuan, a respected scholar and government advisor. He prospered around the late 14th to early 15th century and was known for his contributions to legal reforms and educational advancements. His intellectual legacy is preserved in several published works and official memorials documenting his administrative achievements.

Xi Ming, a military strategist from the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127 CE), is remembered for his defense tactics during the Jin-Song Wars. His strategies in warfare were crucial during several key battles, earning him a prominent place in Song military history.

The Qing Dynasty (1644–1912) saw the rise of Xi Dali, an influential businessman who became one of the wealthiest merchants in the Jiangsu province. Born in 1702 and dying in 1765, Xi Dali significantly impacted local economies, pioneering trade routes and establishing networks that bolstered Sino-foreign exchanges.

In the era of the Republic of China, Xi Zhongxun stands out as a notable political figure. Born in 1913, Xi Zhongxun played a significant role in the Chinese Communist Party's early development and held various leadership positions before his death in 2002. His influence persists in modern Chinese political discourse.

The surname Xi, deeply embedded within Chinese historical and cultural frameworks, reflects a rich legacy of literary, political, and military significance. Each example demonstrates the diverse contributions of individuals bearing this surname throughout China's extensive historical tapestry, highlighting the name's enduring presence and resonance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Xi

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Xi.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Xi was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Xi has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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