On the parenthood journey, one of the first and most delightful challenges is choosing a name for your little one. If you want to venture off the beaten path of traditional names and explore something unique and exciting, why not consider names that start with the letter X?
The letter X is exotic, mysterious, and carries a certain charm that’s hard to ignore. It’s not a common choice, which makes it perfect for parents seeking a distinctive name for their child. Not only will these names stand out in a crowd, but they also carry a blend of cultural richness and modern flair. So, let’s dive into some captivating boy names beginning with this extraordinary letter.
Xavier
The most popular name for boys that starts with X is Xavier. Xavier is of Basque origin and means “new house” or “bright.” Most Americans pronounce the initial X, as in ex-ZAY-vee-er, but it’s equally acceptable to pronounce the name ZAY-vee-er, closer to the French pronunciation.
Xander
Xander is a diminutive form of Alexander, which is of Greek and, later, Latin origin. Xander takes its meaning from Alexander, “defending men.” Alexander is the more popular of the two, but there’s a special place in our hearts for the shortened Xander.
Xerxes
Xerxes has a storied history. Xerxes is of Persian origin and means “hero among heroes.” The name belonged to two early kings of Persia.
Xan
Alexander is such a long baby name that it invites shorter diminutive forms. There are many! One such option is Xan, a blunt, single-syllable option for parents who don’t want nonsense. As with Alexander, Xan also means “defending men.”
Xen
Xen is a Japanese name related to Buddhism and means “meditation.” Xen is a hot name among celebrity parents. Corey Feldman and Tisha Campbell Martin both have children with the appellation.
Xavi
Xavi, a diminutive form of Xavier, is such a popular given name these days that it lands in the US top 1000 baby boy names. Xavi sounds much more casual, playful even. It shares the same meaning with Xavier in “new house” and “bright.”
Xanthos
Xanthos is a Greek name used as an alternative for the mythological god Apollo. The name sounds stately and means “golden hair.” Xanthos can easily be shortened to Xan as a sweet little nickname.
Xenos
Xenos is another Greek name for boys. It means “hospitable” and “guest.” Xenos is given today in shorter forms Xeno (also spelled Zeno), which sounds more contemporary and fresh. Whether you want to go traditional or more modern, this name is a winner!
Xylon
While it might sound similar to nylon, Xylon is a standalone appellation. Xylon is yet another attractive Greek name for boys. It means “forest.” If you’re after a subtle nature-inspired name, Xylon could be the perfect choice for you.
Xolani
Xolani is a Zulu name for boys stemming from the word uxolo, which means “peace” and “goodwill.” Many people mistake this appellation as a name for girls, but it actually is a masculine choice.
Xanti
Another Basque name not associated with Xavier, Xanti, is a form of Santiago, which means “Saint James.” Xanti is an approachable option that feels energetic and free-spirited.
Xenon
Forget that Xenon names a chemical element, a colorless, odorless gas. Xenon is a Greek name that means “stranger.” It’s an extremely rare name in the US that’s virtually unknown. If you’re after something unique, Xenon could be your perfect option.
Xoan
Move over, John; we’ve got a regional alternative from the Galician language in Xoan. Galician is an Indo-European language of the Western Ibero-Romance branch spoken by over 2 million people today. Xoan shares its meaning with John, “God is gracious.”
Ximenes
A more established name than most on this list, Ximenes is still relatively rare. Ximines is a Spanish form of Simon, a name of Hebrew origin that means “flat-nosed.” In Spanish, the X is pronounced like an H, similar to the other spelling of this name, Jimenes (Jimenez).
Ximen
Contrary to popular belief, Ximen is not a Spanish form of Simon. Instead, it comes from Medieval Basque origin and means “son.” As with Ximenes, Ximen is pronounced he-MEN. Because the two names are so similar, it’s easy to see why the names are confused for one another.
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Ximeno
Ximeno is a cousin of Ximen and comes from the same Basque root that means “son.” This name is pronounced he-MEH-no, which gives it an additional syllable. Both options are delightful, and you can choose the right fit for your family.
Xurxo
We find another Galician name in Xurxo. The name is virtually unknown in the US, but it’s established compared to other names on the list. Xurxo is spelled SHOOR-sho, which is likely to confuse many English speakers. If you’re up for correcting the name’s pronunciation, this could be a colorful choice for your baby boy.
Xayden
Xayden is a modern invention. Today, Xayden is a trendy option for parents looking for alternatives to names like Aiden and Jayden. Depending on which name you want to credit as Xayden’s root, the name can mean “little and fiery” or “thankful.”
Xabat
Xabat is a Spanish name from Latin. It shares its roots with Salvador. This charming name means “savior.”
Xil
Xil is a Spanish form of the Gilbert or Gilberto. We must admit it’s far from its source material, but that does not make the appellation less appealing. In fact, Xil feels more modern and fresh than Gilbert. The name’s roots mean “shining pledge.”
Xenophon
Xenophon is a Greek name that means “foreign voice.” It’s a mouthful of a name. Xenophon would be an extremely bold choice today as it has not found much favor since antiquity.
Xorge
Xorge is a Spanish form of George which is pronounced HOR-heh. It’s a super fun spelling of the traditional name, that’s also found spelled Jorge, which is of Greek origin and means “farmer.”
Xion
Xion is a modern spelling of the Hebrew name Zion. Most Americans will pronounce the name Zy-on, but the traditional Hebrew pronunciation is closer to Tzee-yon. However you choose to say it, Xion means “highest point.”
Xi
Xi is a Chinese/Mandarin surname-name that is pronounced shee or see. This name’s meaning changes depending on the characters used to construct it. Two popular meanings are “to hope” and “to admire.”
Xano
Xano is the Portuguese form of Alexander, a name that’s proven highly versatile across various languages. Australian actor and producer Jason Gann chose this name for his son, Xano William. It’s one of the most fun forms of Alexander that more parents should try!
Xael
Xael is a unisex invented name of Spanish origin. Though it suits all babies, it is more popular for boys in the US. It could potentially be a form of Zael, from Hebrew, meaning “little.”
Xun
Xun, sometimes spelled Xan, is a Chinese name that means “snow.” To nail the pronunciation, say this name like SHYUN.
Xaho
Xaho, pronounced SHAH-o, is a Basque name that means “of Galicia.”
Xue
Another one of the Chinese names that means “snow,” Xue is pronounced SHWEH. This appellation happens to be unisex as well. It’s a perfect option for a winter baby.
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Xuan
If the Xoan spelling looked too much like Joan to you, consider Xuan. It is another form of the name Juan, of Spanish and Hebrew origin, meaning “God is Gracious.”
Choosing a name that starts with the letter X can be an exciting adventure. These names are not only unique but also exude a certain magnetism that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re drawn to the cultural richness of Xerxes, the modern appeal of Xander, or the charm of Xavier, there’s an X-name out there that’s just perfect for your little one. Remember, a name is a lifelong gift you give your child – so make it special, meaningful, and reflective of all the hopes and dreams you have for their future. Happy baby name naming!