Origin and Meaning of Xaver

The new house

Origin: Basque - Derived from the Basque 'etxabé' meaning 'new house' or 'bright'. Xaver is often associated with the name St. Francis Xavier, a Christian missionary.

• Xaver is primarily used in German-speaking countries and is a popular name in Bavaria, as well as in other regions influenced by the Jesuit tradition.
• The name is often celebrated on the feast day of St. Francis Xavier, which is December 3rd.
• Notable bearers of the name include Xaver Neuhof, a notable Austrian composer, and many prominent Jesuit figures who have adopted the name in honor of St. Francis Xavier.
• While relatively uncommon in other parts of the world, Xaver has seen a slight resurgence in popularity in Germany and Austria in recent years.
• Variations of the name include Javier (Spanish), Xavier (French), and Saverio (Italian), reflecting its widespread popularity across various cultures.