Names › Boys' names › X › Xander
Xander
Meaning: short form of Alexander · Origin: Greek / English · Gender: usually a boy's name
Origin & history
Xander is a short form of Alexander, from Greek Alexandros, 'defender of people'. The spelling was popularized in English-speaking culture by Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Popularity of Xander in the US, 1880–2025
2025: 1,335 US baby boys named Xander — #259 for boys · Peak: 2,414 in 2017 · 1950: fewer than 5 · 2000: 165 · 2020: 2,057
Source: US Social Security Administration (SSA) national baby-name data, 1880–2025 (names.zip). Counts are babies of that gender given exactly this spelling each year; SSA leaves out a name in any year with fewer than 5 births.
How to pronounce Xander
ZAN-dər · IPA /ˈzændər/ (common American English pronunciation)
Language of origin
English short form of Alexander — defender of men
How the meaning and use of Xander developed
Xander is a modern English short form of Alexander, from Greek Alexandros, “defender of men”.
Related names from the same root
Alexander · Xan
Sibling names that go well with Xander
Sister: Aitana · Alex
Brother: Tate · Kairo
Our editorial suggestions — similar era, style and length — chosen from names with full pages on this site.
Nicknames
Xan
Variants & related names
Alexander, Zander
Xander name art
A free preview of a printable “Xander” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Choose two more names (suggestions can be edited):
Enter your email to download a 900×1200 PNG with a small site footer.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
Gift idea: baby shower name-meaning prints — sizes, printing & framing tips
FAQ
What does the name Xander mean?
Xander means “short form of Alexander”. It comes from Greek / English.
How do you pronounce Xander?
Xander is usually pronounced ZAN-dər (/ˈzændər/).
Is Xander a popular name?
In 2025, Xander ranked #259 among boys' names in the United States, given to 1,335 baby boys, according to US Social Security Administration data. Its peak year was 2017 (2,414 babies).
What are nicknames for Xander?
Xan.
What are other forms of Xander?
Alexander, Zander.
What are good sibling names for Xander?
Sister: Aitana, Alex. Brother: Tate, Kairo.
Similar names
Alexander · Luke · Christopher · Andrew · Angel · Nicholas
Browse: English names · Greek names · all origins & themes
More: names starting with X · all boys' names · name art for any name
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.