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

Xian, 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 Xian surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Xian in America

Xian is the 38050th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Xian surname appeared 583 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 Xian.

We can also compare 2010 data for Xian 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 Xian

The surname Xian originates from China and has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The name is particularly associated with the Han Chinese and has deep roots in Chinese culture and history. It is derived from old Chinese characters and has several meanings depending on the context, including "wise," "virtuous," and "immortal." The surname is often connected to the Daoist tradition, where the character "Xian" symbolizes immortality and transcendence.

The earliest records of the surname Xian can be traced back to ancient Chinese historical texts. One of the earliest mentions appears in the Book of Han, an official historical book covering the Western Han dynasty period (206 BCE - 9 CE). It documents that the Xian family was prominent in various regions, including the areas known today as Henan and Shandong provinces. Due to the phonetic similarities and changing dynasties, there have been variations in the spelling and interpretation of the surname Xian.

One of the earliest recorded instances of a notable individual with the surname Xian is Xian Yufu, a government official during the Eastern Han dynasty, born around 40 CE and died in 100 CE. He held various governmental posts and was known for his wisdom and administrative skills. Another historical figure is Xian Zhen, a poet and scholar from the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE), whose works are still studied today for their literary merit and philosophical depth.

A prominent military figure with the surname Xian was Xian De, a general who served during the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 CE). His strategic acumen and leadership were celebrated in historical accounts. Later, in the Song dynasty (960–1279 CE), Xian Liang, a philosopher and educator, contributed significantly to the development of Confucian thought, further cementing the prominence of the Xian surname in Chinese intellectual history.

In the realms of art and culture, Xian Xinghai (1905–1945 CE) is a notable modern historical figure. Born in Macau, he was a renowned composer whose works have had a lasting impact on Chinese music. His most famous composition, the Yellow River Cantata, is still performed and celebrated as a symbol of Chinese patriotism and resilience.

Throughout Chinese history, the surname Xian has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to government, military, literature, philosophy, and the arts. These historical figures are testament to the enduring legacy and cultural significance of the Xian surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Xian

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

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 Xian 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 Xian 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 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.

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