Xerxes
From Ancient Greek Ξέρξης (Xérxēs), from Old Persian 𐎧𐏁𐎹𐎠𐎼𐏁𐎠 (x-š-y-a-r-š-a /Xšayāršā/, “ruler among kings”).
Every Xerxes since 1974 — 304 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Xerxes
Xerxes is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,593 in 2025 with 17 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1974, 304 American babies have been named Xerxes. Its peak came in 2018, when 21 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Xerxes stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Xerxes year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 17 | #5,593 |
| 2024 | 19 | #5,228 |
| 2023 | 16 | #5,903 |
| 2022 | 17 | #5,621 |
| 2021 | 14 | #6,323 |
| 2020 | 10 | #8,028 |
| 2019 | 11 | #7,615 |
| 2018 | 21 | #4,729 |
| 2017 | 14 | #6,317 |
| 2016 | 13 | #6,707 |
| 2015 | 15 | #5,979 |
| 2014 | 13 | #6,611 |
| 2013 | 8 | #9,625 |
| 2012 | 12 | #7,023 |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | 10 | #8,105 |
| 2009 | 12 | #7,214 |
| 2008 | 8 | #9,837 |
| 2007 | 9 | #8,883 |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | 8 | #8,425 |
| 2001 | 6 | #10,512 |
| 2000 | 5 | #12,071 |
| 1995 | 5 | #10,295 |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | 8 | #4,303 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Xerxes
- Xerxes I Politician · -519–-475
- Xerxes II of Persia Politician · -500–-424
- Xerxes of Armenia Politician · -300–-212
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Xerxes mean?
From Ancient Greek Ξέρξης (Xérxēs), from Old Persian 𐎧𐏁𐎹𐎠𐎼𐏁𐎠 (x-š-y-a-r-š-a /Xšayāršā/, “ruler among kings”).
How popular is the name Xerxes in 2025?
Xerxes ranked #5,593 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 17 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Xerxes?
304 babies have been named Xerxes in the United States since 1974, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Xerxes most popular?
Xerxes peaked in 2018, when 21 newborns received the name.
Is Xerxes a boy or girl name?
Xerxes is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Xerxes rising or falling?
Xerxes is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Xerxes?
Well-known people named Xerxes include Xerxes I (politician), Xerxes II of Persia (politician), Xerxes of Armenia (politician).