Xian
Every Xian since 1997 — 463 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Xian
Xian is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,195 in 2025 with 19 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1997, 463 American babies have been named Xian — about 81% boys and 19% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2023, when 26 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
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 Xian stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Xian year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 19 | #5,195 |
| 2024 | — | — | 15 | #6,177 |
| 2023 | — | — | 26 | #4,212 |
| 2022 | — | — | 13 | #6,801 |
| 2021 | — | — | 15 | #6,020 |
| 2020 | — | — | 19 | #5,030 |
| 2019 | — | — | 21 | #4,798 |
| 2018 | — | — | 21 | #4,730 |
| 2017 | — | — | 9 | #8,803 |
| 2016 | — | — | 11 | #7,576 |
| 2015 | 6 | #16,315 | 14 | #6,304 |
| 2014 | — | — | 12 | #7,032 |
| 2013 | 6 | #16,431 | 17 | #5,390 |
| 2012 | 5 | #19,406 | 18 | #5,240 |
| 2011 | 9 | #12,109 | 10 | #8,050 |
| 2010 | 7 | #14,875 | 17 | #5,468 |
| 2009 | 8 | #13,640 | 11 | #7,672 |
| 2008 | 8 | #13,762 | 8 | #9,839 |
| 2007 | — | — | 13 | #6,600 |
| 2006 | 5 | #19,934 | 11 | #7,403 |
| 2005 | 7 | #14,448 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | 7 | #9,905 |
| 2003 | 6 | #15,705 | 10 | #7,225 |
| 2002 | — | — | 5 | #12,439 |
| 2001 | — | — | 12 | #6,000 |
| 2000 | 6 | #14,967 | 16 | #4,781 |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Xian
- Xian Dongmei Athlete · b. 1975
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Xian in 2025?
Xian ranked #5,195 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 19 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Xian?
463 babies have been named Xian in the United States since 1997, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Xian most popular?
Xian peaked in 2023, when 26 newborns received the name.
Is Xian a boy or girl name?
Xian is used for both: about 19% of babies named Xian have been girls and 81% boys.
Is the name Xian rising or falling?
Xian is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Xian?
Well-known people named Xian include Xian Dongmei (athlete).