Xabier

Xabier is a masculine given name in the Basque language. It is the Basque form of Xavier and is used mainly in the Basque Country and among Basque communities worldwide.

The given name Xavier originates from the Basque place name Xabier, which is widely thought to derive from the Basque elements etxe (house) and berri (new), together interpreted as "new house." The name became associated with Saint Francis Xavier, a 16th-century missionary; in Basque usage, he is known as San Frantzisko Xabier. The Basque form Xabier is distinct from its French and English variants Xavier, and from the Spanish form Javier.

In Basque contexts, Xabier is a common male first name. Outside the Basque-speaking world, the spelling Xavier is more common, while Javier is the dominant form in Spanish-speaking countries. The name is sometimes used in bilingual or multicultural settings, reflecting mixed linguistic traditions.

The name is borne by various Basque figures in sports, arts, and public life.

See also: Xavier; Javier; Saint Francis Xavier.