Javier

Javier is a masculine given name widely used in Spanish-speaking countries. It is the Spanish form of the Basque name Xabier, itself derived from the Basque toponym etxe berri meaning “new house.”

The name was popularized in the Western world by Saint Francis Xavier (Spanish: San Francisco Javier), a 16th-century missionary whose prominence helped spread the name in Catholic communities across Europe and the Americas.

In contemporary usage, Javier is common in Spain and Latin America. It is often shortened to Javi; in Catalan, Xavi is used as well, and both Xavi and Javi can function as nicknames for Xavier or Javier.

Notable people named Javier include Spanish actor Javier Bardem; Argentine footballer Javier Zanetti; Mexican footballer Javier Hernández Balcázar (Chicharito); Spanish actor Javier Cámara; and Argentine economist and politician Javier Milei.

Variants and related forms include Xavier (French/English) and Xabier (Basque). The name remains a frequent choice in Spanish-speaking cultures and has multiple familiar nicknames that contribute to its ongoing use in various countries.