Xavier (name)

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This article is about the given name Xavier. For other uses, see Xavier (disambiguation).

Xavier
Given Name


The castle of Xavier was restored by the Jesuits.
Gender Male
Meaning New house
Origin Basque, Spanish
Related names Javier
Wikipedia articles All pages beginning with Xavier
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Xavier (pronounced ZAY-vee-er, the pronunciations ecks-ZAY-vee-er or ig-ZAY-vee-er are also common; in Spanish, hah-vee-AIR ; in French, gzah-vee-YAY) is a masculine name.

The name has Basque roots, etymologically originating in the word exaberri (etxe berri in modern standard spelling, meaning "new house"). It has been phonetically influenced by Navarrese Romance and has evolved along with other Castilian words. It was the family name of the lords of Javier, Spain. Due to the popularity of the Jesuit missionary saint Francis Xavier, it has spread beyond the Navarrese area. Other variations of this name includes Xabier, Xaverius, Xaver, Xever, Saverio. The feminine Javiera, Saveria, Zaviera, and Saverina are less common.

For notable people named Xavier, see Xavier (disambiguation).

[edit] See also

  • Javier (name), a variant of Xavier
  • Jaffar, a similar but unrelated Arabic name meaning "bright".