Xavier

Xavier is a given name and surname with roots in the Basque place name Xabier, which itself derives from etxe berri meaning "new house." In Basque, the form Xabier is common; in many Romance languages the name appears as Xavier, while in Spanish the more common form is Javier. The form Xavier has been widely adopted across the Christian world, in part due to Saint Francis Xavier (1506–1552), a co-founder of the Society of Jesus who conducted missionary work in Asia and was later canonized as a saint. The name thus carries religious and historical associations in many regions.

Today Xavier is used as a given name for males and, less commonly, as a surname. The spelling varies by language and culture, with Xabier, Xavi, Xavier, and Javier among the most common forms. It is the namesake of several Jesuit-founded institutions, such as Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio (founded 1831) and Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans (1915). The name also appears in schools, colleges, and cultural works around the world. Notable individuals with the name span sports, arts, and public life, reflecting its broad international adoption.