"stranger, foreigner (from xenos)"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Xenia
Pronunciation: [ z-EEN-ee-uh ]
Does Xenia flow with your last name?
An ancient Greek virtue name embodying sacred hospitality
Greek
Russian
Eastern European
English
Classic
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Unique
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Things to Know About This Name
- The X spelling may cause pronunciation confusion for English speakers unfamiliar with Greek pronunciation
The Story of Xenia
Xenia comes from the ancient Greek word xenos, meaning stranger or guest, from which we derive xenophobia and xenon. Xenia was the sacred Greek concept of hospitality and the guest-friendship between host and traveler, considered a sacred duty protected by Zeus Xenios. To violate xenia was to offend the gods themselves.
Xenia has never been a mainstream English name but has maintained steady use in Greek, Russian, and Eastern European communities. The action heroine Xenia Onatopp from the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye brought brief attention to the name in English-speaking countries, as did the TV series Xena: Warrior Princess.
Xenia (hospitality) was one of the most important virtues in ancient Greek culture, as sacred as worship itself. Homer's Odyssey and Iliad are filled with examples of xenia being honored or violated. In the Russian Orthodox tradition, Xenia of Saint Petersburg (Ksenia) is a revered 18th-century saint known for her acts of Christian charity.
Historical Record
Xenia first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 2,658 babies have been named Xenia in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Xenia is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #3,324 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Xenia was the ancient Greek concept of sacred hospitality, so important it was protected by Zeus himself
- Saint Xenia of Saint Petersburg is one of the most beloved Orthodox Christian saints in Russia
- The element xenon (Xe) and the word xenophobia both share the same Greek root xenos as the name Xenia
Xenia in Other Languages
Greek
Ξένια
Latin
Xenia
Russian
Ксения
Spanish
Xenia
Ukrainian
Ксенія
Popularity Over Time
#3,324
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Xenia
X
Xenia Tchoumitcheva
Business
1987
Swiss-Russian model, actress, and entrepreneur named Miss Switzerland 2007
S
Saint Xenia of Saint Petersburg
Religious
18th-century Russian Orthodox Christian saint, known for her acts of selfless charity after becoming a wandering fool fo...
18th-century Russian Orthodox Christian saint, known for her acts of selfless charity after becoming a wandering fool for Christ
X
Xenia Onatopp Fictional
Other
The villain of the James Bond film GoldenEye (1995), played by Famke Janssen
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Compare Xenia with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #3,324
- Total SSA Count
- 47
- Cultural Origins
- Greek Russian Eastern European English
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Xeni
Zee
Nia
Zeni
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Xenia
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Xenia
What does the name Xenia mean?
"stranger, foreigner (from xenos)" (from Greek). Xenia comes from the ancient Greek word xenos, meaning stranger or guest, from which we derive xenophobia and xenon. Xenia was the sacred Greek concept of hospitality and the guest-friendship between host and traveler, considered a sacred duty protected by Zeus Xenios. To violate xenia was to offend the gods themselves.
What is the origin of the name Xenia?
Xenia has Greek, Russian, Eastern European, and English origins. In Greek, it means "stranger, foreigner (from xenos)".
Is Xenia a boy or girl name?
Xenia is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Xenia?
Xenia is pronounced z-EEN-ee-uh.
How popular is the name Xenia?
Xenia is currently ranked #3324 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Xenia?
Common nicknames for Xenia include Xeni, Zee, Nia, and Zeni.
What are good middle names for Xenia?
Popular middle name pairings include Xenia Marie, Xenia Grace, Xenia Sophia, Xenia Rose, Xenia Elise, Xenia Aurora, and Xenia Celeste.
What are good sibling names for Xenia?
Names that pair well with Xenia as siblings include Xander, Zephyr, Athena, Daphne, Leila, Cassius, and Clio.
How many syllables does Xenia have?
Xenia has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Xenia a common or rare name?
Xenia is an uncommon name, ranked #3324 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Xenia
Xenia is a girl name with Greek, Russian, Eastern European, and English origins . The name means "stranger, foreigner (from xenos)" in Greek .
Xenia is currently ranked #3,324 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Xenia has 3 syllables and is pronounced z-EEN-ee-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Xenia include Xeni, Zee, Nia, and Zeni. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis